SAN Simon Vice Mayor Leonora Wong has officially assumed the position of local chief executive of this town following the implementation of a preventive suspension against Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr.
Wong will be the acting mayor for the next two months, which started Monday, November 9, until the first week of January 2021.
Punsalan, together with five councilors -- Romanoel "Dading" Santos, Mark Macapagal, Irene Dagdag, Randell Bondoc and Archiebald Basilio, and ex-officio member Sangguniang Kabataan President Alekseyevich Vergara -- were placed under preventive suspension due to alleged irregularities in the purchase of a parcel of land behind the municipal hall.
According to Wong, the land measures approximately 12,000 square meters and was purchased by the local government for P3,599 per square meter.
She said that since the idea of purchasing the land was introduced to the Municipal Council, and that she already reminded her colleagues of the problems connected to the property.
"Almost everybody knows that there are issues about the said property owned by Mr. Artemio Reyes. It has pending cases in court that is why it cannot be sold," Wong said.
She added that the property is submerged in water and has right of way problems, which must be dealt first by the buyer.
Wong also said that during the ratification of the land on February 18, the concerned officials and individuals allegedly failed to present necessary documents such as the deed of sale.
Some protocols on acquisition of land stated in the local government code were also bypassed such as the hearing of the Committee on Appraisal, furthered Wong.
"I reminded them of the problems they may face if they pursue the purchase of land but they did not listen," she said.
The acting mayor also clarified the questions on why only six of the 10 Municipal Council members were included in the suspension order implemented by Governor Dennis Pineda.
She said Councilors Keko Almario and Beda Pineda did not attend the sessions, so they were not able to sign the resolution.
She added that Association of Barangay Captains president Randie Flores and Councilor Irene David initially signed but withdrew their "yes" vote immediately when they learned about the concerns on the land.
"They did not sign the resolution that is why they are not in the complaint, not because they are my allies," she said.
Wong also denied her involvement in the suspension of Punsalan and other local officials, saying her name is not in any complaint filed against the incumbent mayor.
"In fact, I was reminding them. I was trying to guide them but they chose to go on with the land deal," she said.
Meanwhile, Wong said she will focus on the implementation of health and social programs, especially related to Covid-19, during her two-month stay in the office.
"Two months is only quick, I cannot really do much especially on infrastructure so I will just prioritize the safety of Simonians since Covid-19 is still here. But rest assured that it is business as usual for the municipality of San Simon," she said.