VIRAC, Catanduanes — PBM Fred Benedict T. Gianan has been formally designated as Acting Vice Governor of the Province of Catanduanes, based on designation orders issued by SILG Juanito Victor C. Remulla on June 4, 2026.
In a memorandum transmitted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Catanduanes Provincial Operations Office to the Office of Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza on June 9, 2026, Provincial Director Uldarico S. Razal Jr., CESO V, confirmed the designation of Gianan as Acting Vice Governor in relation to case docket number OMB-L-A-MAR-26-0059.
Also designated were three acting ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. These include Hon. Honesto V. Lumabi for the Liga ng mga Barangay, Hon. Joseph L. Mendoza for the Philippine Councilors League, and Hon. Roy T. Buendia for the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation.
Meanwhile, Lakas-CMD also issued a Certificate of Nomination signed by former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, party president, on June 1, 2026. The certificate contained the party’s recommendation for the appointment or designation of temporary replacements to fill vacant positions in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Catanduanes.
The Lakas-CMD nominees include Gregorio E. Angeles, Adrian B. Torcelino, Virginia D. Sanchez, Aida A. Dianela, Gil L. Alintana, and Joy Z. Tamayo, who were recommended as possible temporary replacements for the suspended Provincial Board Members.
Aside from this, separate recommendations were also submitted by provincial party chairpersons dated May 29, 2026. In a letter signed by former Governor Joseph C. Cua, Provincial Chairperson of Lakas-CMD, several party members were recommended as temporary replacements for suspended provincial officials. For the East District, the nominees were Joselito Alberto, Odilon F. Pascua, Alexander Teves, and Rodrigo B. Turado. For the West District, the nominees were Leo Z. Mendoza and Ronald T. Idanan.
The Nationalist People’s Coalition, through Vice Mayor Lemuel Surtida, Provincial Chairperson of the party, also submitted its recommendation. The NPC recommended Jesus Balunsay for the East District and Samuel V. Laynes for the West District as temporary replacements for suspended provincial officials belonging to their party.
The recommendations are connected to the Order of Preventive Suspension issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice Governor Robert A. Fernandez and several members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The designations and nominations are intended to prevent a vacuum in local governance and to ensure the continuous operation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan while the temporary vacancies remain in effect. The acting officials and recommended replacements are expected to serve in a temporary capacity while the appropriate legal and administrative processes continue. | Francis Benedict | Bicol Peryodiko Integrated News
