Suspended Mayor's Wife is Acting Mayor

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has activated transition measures in Minglanilla, Cebu, following the preventive suspension of several of the town’s top officials, including Mayor Rajiv Enad and Vice Mayor Lani Peña.

During the one-year suspension period, Enad’s wife and First Councilor, Lheslen Enad, will serve as acting mayor to ensure continuity of governance and public services.

Councilor Mulot Laput will temporarily assume the role of vice mayor.

The suspension order, issued by the Office of the Ombudsman, also covers 10 municipal councilors over an administrative complaint linked to public safety concerns.

The case stems from reported ground cracks in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan, which were previously assessed as posing a landslide risk.

DILG Cebu Provincial Director Jesus Robel Sastrillo Jr. said contingency procedures were immediately put in place to prevent a halt in local government operations.

“This is to ensure that services continue without interruption while the legal process is ongoing,” Sastrillo said.

Under succession rules, the highest-ranking council member assumes the mayoral role automatically, while the vice mayoral position requires formal designation from the President through the DILG.

The reorganization also involves coordination with political parties, as temporary replacements for the council must be nominated and certified to maintain party representation.

Most affected councilors belong to the Nacionalista Party, making certification a key step before appointments are finalized.

Sectoral posts, including the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and Liga ng mga Barangay, follow internal succession rules, where vice presidents typically assume leadership roles if vacancies occur.

While department heads and career officials continue operations, DILG noted that the absence of a complete legislative lineup may slow the passage of ordinances requiring a quorum.

The Ombudsman’s order covers Enad, Peña, and councilors Jay-R Dela Calzada, Jongjong Adlawan Jr., Jesus “Boyet” Velez, Jerry Cañares, Jimmy Caumeran, Jenny Young, Jenifer Lariosa, Prose Laput, Petronilo Traya, and Rick Ryan Zafra.

The complaint was filed by private firms linked to the Jomara Group of Companies, who accused local officials of delaying or denying business-related permits.

Enad previously defended the decisions, citing safety assessments and regulatory compliance as the basis for his actions. (SBA)

Lheslen Enad/ Facebook