Joson clan member takes over Cabanatuan council

CABANATUAN CITY — A member of the province’s influential Joson clan is now the presiding chair of the city council, after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) enforced an Ombudsman order dismissing Vice Mayor Emmanuel Antonio Umali and two city councilors for alleged grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Councilor Eduardo Jose Joson VII was installed as vice mayor on July 4 under the rule of succession after DILG provincial director, Renato Bernardino, handed the order to Umali’s staff, according to city director Rolly Ocampo.

The Ombudsman found Umali, Councilors Gabriel Calling and Johnero Mercado, and other officials liable for repacking disaster relief goods provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, into gifts they gave out in January 2016.

The three officials denied the charges. —Armand Galang