MAYOR Albino “Ben” Balo of Guindulman town has vacated the position of municipal mayor of Guindulman town after the Ombudsman booted him out, finding him guilty of grave misconduct over the alleged anomaly on government projects.
“I am stepping down as your municipal mayor effective today (October 22)” while waiting for the implementing order even as he respects the Ombudsman verdict, he told a gathering of municipal employees infront of the municipal hall.”
He said that he did not corrupt nor gotten anything from the municipal coffers. But he is still around to help municipal officials.
Succeeding him as a matter of rule of law is his Vice-Mayor Jimmy Busano as mayor and first kagawad Abigail Lagura-Gutang as vice-mayor.
The Ombudsman has ordered the removal from service of Balo and five other municipal employees for Grave Misconduct over alleged irregularities in two local government projects.
Aside from Balo, the report said, others being dismissed were Municipal Engineer Rodney Jones, former Municipal Engineer Ariston Beronio, Municipal Treasurer Jean Janiola, Admin Aide II Dennis Theodore Besinga, and Admin Aide III (HRMO designate Evelyn Hinatuan).
The Ombudsman decision was signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Darius Sagadal and approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires through Deputy Ombudsman Jose Balmeo Jr. on September 12, 2025.
The Ombudsman’s ruling arose from alleged irregularities in the erection of a giant Christmas tree in 2022 and a Multi-Purpose Billboard Cell project in 2023.
The ruling cleared or set aside the charges against Engineering Aide Jun Andreo Cellacay, Municipal Accountant Consolacion dela Peña, Municipal Budget Officer Aida Mahilum and Municipal Assessor Christopher Beruan due to insufficient evidence.
Mr. Bernard Banal, a resident of Barangay Mayuga, Guindulman, filed on February 28, 2024 the administrative charges against Balo and others involved in the said anomaly.
They were said to have violated Section 4(a) of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), Sections 17(b) and 23 of RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) and RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). (RVO)
