San Simon Vice Mayor Anne Canlas has assumed post as acting town mayor on Thursday, August 7, following the arrest of Mayor Jun Punsalan over alleged extortion.
Canlas said her leadership will focus on the delivery of basic services to the people of San Simon.
She assured residents that the municipal hall remains open to listen to and address the needs and concerns of residents.
Punsalan was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Intelligence Service during an entrapment operation in Clark Freeport on Tuesday, August 5.
He was apprehended after allegedly receiving bribe money from a steel company operating in San Simon.
The payment was allegedly made in exchange for the local government’s favorable resolution in favor of the steel company.
Punsalan’s aide, Ed Ryan “Doc Yang” Dimla was also arrested during the NBI operation.
The two are facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
