Virac, Catanduanes — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Catanduanes clarified that no formal assumption of office has yet taken place for Provincial Board Member (PBM) Fred Gianan as Acting Vice Governor, despite earlier discussions on succession following the preventive suspension of Vice Governor Robert A. Fernandez and eleven members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
DILG Catanduanes Provincial Director Uldarico “Jun” Razal stressed that the implementation of any temporary leadership arrangement remains subject to strict procedural requirements under existing rules and must pass through proper documentation and national-level approval.
Razal confirmed that while the Ombudsman has issued a preventive suspension order affecting key provincial officials, the DILG has not yet completed the administrative process required for the designation of an Acting Vice Governor.
He said the department is still verifying official documents and awaiting proper coordination before any succession mechanism is enforced.
“There is still an official statement from the Vice Governor that they have not yet formally received the suspension order,” Razal noted, referring to earlier claims from Vice Governor Fernandez’s camp.
The DILG official explained that the designation of acting officials in elective positions follows established guidelines, particularly under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-21 (Series of 2018) and related administrative issuances governing succession and temporary vacancies.
According to Razal, all designations involving local elective positions must ultimately be issued or confirmed by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG).
“Actually, in all designations, it is the DILG Secretary who issues the final designation. For the Vice Governor position, the rule of succession applies,” he said.
Under this framework, succession is not automatic in practice but requires formal endorsement and validation of documentary bases to ensure legal compliance and continuity of governance.
In a separate coordination with Bicol Peryodiko, PBM Fred Gianan also confirmed that he has not received any official directive from the DILG regarding his possible assumption as Acting Vice Governor.
“We have yet to receive communication from the DILG. No assumption of office yet,” Gianan said, clarifying that he has not taken any formal oath or exercised duties as Acting Vice Governor.
With both DILG confirmation and PBM Gianan’s statement, authorities emphasized that there is still no fully implemented leadership transition in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan despite the suspension order.
Officials stressed that the process remains in the documentation and verification stage, and that any premature assumption of office without proper authorization would be procedurally improper under DILG rules.
The clarification comes in the wake of the Office of the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension order dated May 22, 2026, against Vice Governor Fernandez and 11 SP members.
The order stems from administrative complaints filed in relation to governance decisions following the impact of Super Typhoon “Uwan” in November 2025, which severely affected thousands of families in Catanduanes.
Among the issues cited in the case are:
- Alleged irregularities in the use and reallocation of the ₱30.5 million Quick Response Fund (QRF)
- Disputes over budget deliberations for Fiscal Year 2026
- Alleged delays in legislative action and executive-legislative coordination
- Administrative decisions involving appointments and inter-agency agreements
The case, docketed as Azanza vs. Fernandez, et al. (OMB-L-A-MAR-26-0059), includes allegations of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The Ombudsman emphasized that preventive suspension is not a penalty but a protective legal measure intended to ensure the integrity of the investigation, prevent possible influence over evidence, and maintain administrative neutrality during proceedings.
Under Republic Act No. 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), the Ombudsman may impose preventive suspension when evidence of guilt appears strong and continued service may prejudice the case.
As of this writing, the DILG has yet to finalize any succession-related issuance, pending completion of required documentation and coordination with regional and central offices.
Authorities indicated that further updates will be released once formal procedural steps are completed and the status of the suspension implementation is fully confirmed.
| via Francis Benedict | Bicol Peryodiko Integrated News |
