THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental today, September 19, authorized Governor Peter Unabia to impose a 60-day preventive suspension on Kinoguitan Mayor Danilo Lagbas Jr., following an administrative complaint filed by Vice Mayor Tomas Zarate and several municipal councilors.
The case against Lagbas stems from alleged administrative negligence related to the illegal construction of a port in Kinoguitan.
The resolution, moved by Board Members Jabie Bernaldez and Bliss Francis Acain, was passed unanimously with 12 members voting in favor. The session was presided over by Vice Governor Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez, with two members, Erick Khu and Princess Emano, absent.
Board Member Gerardo Sabal, the majority floor leader, said the suspension is intended to prevent Mayor Lagbas from using his position to influence or intimidate witnesses in the forthcoming hearings.
“This is to ensure he cannot influence witnesses who may be called during the hearing,” Sabal said.
Board Member Dexter Yasay echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for impartiality and adding that if not suspended, Lagbas could potentially “tamper with the truth.”
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“Basin dili matagaan ug pagtagad (the hearing) basin naay monopoly mahitabo,” said Yasay.
Board Member Mitchilie Anayron supported the preventive suspension, stating that the evidence, including penalties imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on the involved AL Farha Company, pointed to a clear violation.
The preventive suspension will allow the ongoing quasi-judicial hearing to proceed. Sabal confirmed that the letter authorizing the suspension is being prepared for transmission to Governor Unabia, who is responsible for its execution.
“Once madawat niya, kinahanglan madawat niya, due process of law, kinahanglan ma inform sya anang suspension order. Ang pag serve ana naa kana sa iyang jurisdiction (Unabia), ang mo serve ana ang provincial legal office,” Sabal said.
For his part, Lagbas condemned his impending suspension, calling it “clear political harassment.”
Lagbas argued that the issue stems from a 2019 port construction incident that occurred when his wife, Lilibeth Lagbas, was the town’s mayor, not him.
“They’re accusing me of neglect of duty, but the wharf’s operations had already been halted by the DENR due to environmental damage,” Lagbas said, defending his position.
He maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated.
“This is political harassment. They are quick to target people like this,” Lagbas said.
While acknowledging that the suspension may proceed, Lagbas insisted that due process must be observed. He expressed confidence in mounting a legal defense, stating, “There are legal remedies my lawyers will pursue. We will fight back against their actions.”
Lagbas also revealed that he and his legal team had just recently submitted their formal response to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and expressed shock at the speed of the board’s decision.
“We just sent our response to the council, yet this is already happening,” he said.
Lagbas, who is considering a gubernatorial run in the 2025 elections, emphasized that he intends to fight the case legally, maintaining that there are no solid grounds for the suspension, as he was not in office during the time of the alleged misconduct.
