By Daniel Que
Despite receiving a one-year suspension from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), Urdaneta City Mayor Julio “Rammy” Parayno III continues to serve in his position, leading the Monday flag-raising ceremony alongside local government employees and supporters.
Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino confirmed that Parayno’s suspension took effect on October 14, the same day the Committee on Good Government and Accountability adopted its report in the SP plenary.
“Mayor Parayno was found guilty of two violations, resulting in two six-month suspensions. However, he was acquitted of a third complaint concerning oppression,” Lambino stated on Monday, as Parayno conducted the flag-raising ceremony surrounded by placard-waving supporters.
Lambino noted that the suspension order has been served and is officially in effect. The case originated from a complaint filed with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and submitted to the Office of the President. After extensive reviews, preliminary hearings began in June, followed by a pre-trial in July, and a preventive suspension issued in August, culminating in the final decision on October 14.
“This case was not initiated by us; it came from ARTA,” Lambino emphasized. The administrative complaint included violations of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (RA 11032) and the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), filed by Bryan Gomez and Rowel Gonzales.
Provincial Resolution No. 958, series of 2024, which adopted the Committee’s decision, was authored by Second District Board Member Haidee Pacheco. It found Parayno guilty of violations under RA 11032, resulting in a total suspension of one year. The resolution was signed by 13 board members, while Board Members Shiela Marie Baniqued and Apolonia Bacay were absent due to official business. It was certified by Verna Nava-Perez, the secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and attested to by the vice governor.
In 2021, ARTA found Parayno in violation of RA 11032 for refusing to issue a business permit to REVM Tiposu Poultry Farm Inc. This led the Pangasinan SP Committee on Good Government and Accountability to endorse a 90-day preventive suspension, which Governor Ramon V. Guico III approved on August 8, 2024.
While the suspension order was set to end on November 12, Parayno returned to office on October 17 after Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Crisma Vismanos-Nabua of Branch 78 ruled that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s 90-day suspension lacked legal and factual basis. Parayno remains in office, asserting that all orders, issuances, and summons related to the case are now null and void.
A source from the SP, who requested anonymity, stated that Parayno may face additional legal issues for refusing to vacate his post following his one-year suspension.
On October 18, Parayno shared a heartfelt poem on his official Facebook page, expressing his sentiments:
Sobra man ang paninira at pasakit
na binibigay nila…sa
dulo, mananaig pa rin ang
hustisya. At ngayon
nakamtan natin ang tamis ng
ating pinaglalaban.
Hindi nyo kayang
iguho ang tunay na
nagmamalasakit at
naninilbihan ng walang
kasaMaan.
Mabuhay ang mga taga-Urdaneta…
Nakabalik na po ako bulang City Mayor!!!
Parayno is seeking re-election in the upcoming elections and will be challenged by Maan Tuazon-Guico, the wife of Governor Ramon Guico III.
