World · Philippines Bureau
Urdaneta City swears in new mayor following Ombudsman dismissal of top officials
Councilor Blesildo Sumera has assumed the mayoralty of Urdaneta City in Pangasinan after the Office of the Ombudsman removed the sitting mayor and vice mayor for grave misconduct. The leadership transition comes after the dismissed officials defied a Palace suspension order.
LSN Philippines ·
CALASIAO, Pangasinan — Urdaneta City has a new mayor following the removal of its top officials by the Office of the Ombudsman. Councilor Blesildo Sumera took his oath of office on Friday and formally assumed the mayoralty on Monday, becoming the city's chief executive.
Sumera's ascension to the mayoral seat follows the Ombudsman's dismissal of Mayor Julius "Rammy" Parayno and Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno on charges of grave misconduct. According to records, the two officials were terminated for defying a suspension order issued by Malacañan in 2025, an action deemed insubordination.
As the highest-ranking official in the city council at the time of the dismissals, Sumera was elevated to the executive post in accordance with the line of succession under Philippine local government law. The transition marks a significant shift in Urdaneta City's administration as it moves forward under new leadership.
The dismissal of the Parayno officials underscores ongoing efforts by national oversight bodies to ensure compliance with presidential directives and maintain accountability standards among local government officials across the country.