Silang, Cavite Mayor Alston Kevin Anarna and another official have been preventively suspended for six months without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman due to alleged anomalies in the purchase of flowers and other materials used for their town’s festival.
The suspension order, dated April 12, 2024, was received by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. but was only made public on Wednesday, April 24, 2026.
In addition to the mayor, the Ombudsman also suspended the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairperson, Nathaniel Anarna Jr.
The DILG chief was instructed to immediately implement the suspension order signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
The Ombudsman decided to suspend the two officials based on the results of the investigation, where there was allegedly strong evidence for the cases of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against the two officials.
A complaint was filed by one Edgardo Arenco Bayan, requesting the Ombudsman to suspend Mayor Anarna and the BAC chairperson after they were accused of anomalous purchases of flowers and string lights used for the Silangueño Ball held on January 28, 2023, in relation to their town’s festival.
The purchase of the said items allegedly occurred after the event, a violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.
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