Mt Prov vice mayor axed after mayor; councilor now ‘mayor’

Graft, corruption charges

By Alfred Dizon

NATONIN, Mountain Province – The provincial board suspended Vice Mayor Christopher Bayowan Feb. 16 for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) after it suspended Mayor Jose Agagon earlier for grave abuse of authority among other charges.
    The provincial board now recognizes Councilor Raymundo Lapasen as mayor.
    Lapasen is the top municipal councilor, having gotten most votes last elections.
    Andrew Magwilang, secretary to the Vice Governor bared these saying what complicated the case further was Agagon has sworn into office Lapasen as acting vice mayor.
    He said the provincial board was unanimous in its ruling against Bayowan but Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. did not sign the resolution.
    Magwilang said the suspension order of Bayowan was for three months.
    Municipal employees said Bayowan has not reported for office since the suspension.
    Bayowan allegedly earlier wrote Jeb Constancio, contractor of the Anastacia Saguel Memorial Hospital now under construction that he wanted to become a subcontractor of the hospital, main reason why the SP suspended him.
    He allegedly was later part of the project. 
    The provincial board had also served notice to Mayor Agagon here on Feb. 8 suspending him from performing his duties for grave abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official and grave misconduct.
    Bayowan has reportedly performed the duties of the mayor due to the latter’s absence during the early part of the Covid-19 epidemic last year.
    Bayawon reportedly transferred to another office by performing functions of the mayor when the SP suspended him for said charges.
    Meanwhile, Agagon denied the SP’s allegations and defied his suspension order.
    Magwilang said Agagon was still performing his duties as mayor at presstime.
    “I am still the mayor,” Agagon was quoted earlier as saying, referring to the suspension order. “The SP’s order is not final and executory.”
    He said he was contesting his order of suspension in the proper forum.
    This, after Agagon allegedly illegally dismissed from service on Oct. 1, 2021 Gina Lamfayong, municipal accountant; Nenette Marungoy, Human Resource and Management Office chief and Hazel Gawayen of the Office of the Mayor.
    This reportedly prompted the three to file a complaint with the provincial board who decided to suspend Agagon.
    The three employees also filed a case with the Regional Trial Court based in the capital town of Bontoc for a restraining order against the dismissal order of the mayor against them.
    Judge Sergio Angnganay Jr. granted a temporary restraining order in favor of the three employees who are still now holding office.
    The source said the case started when Lamfayong, Marungoy and Gawayen issued a certification last February 2021 attesting that Agagon was not attending office at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    This reportedly prompted Vice Mayor Bayowan to assume duties of the mayor.
    Agagon disputed allegations he was not attending office saying he was in Natonin at that time.
    The provincial board is headed by Vice Gov. Francis O. Tauli with members Donato L. Danglose (District 2), Janice Barillo (District 1, Joshua B. Fronda (District 1) Henry D. Bastian (District 2), Federico Onsat (District 1), Salvador K. Dalang (District 2) and Randy T. Awisan (District 2).  Board member Alexandre Claver of District 1 died recently.
Claver’s son, following his appointment by President Duterte, was sworn into office by Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan and assumed the post of his deceased father as board member.
    Lawyer Maximo Dalog Jr. is congressman of Lone District of Mountain Province.