San Pablo City Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr.has been suspended for six months by the Ombudsman's office following allegations of transferring city hall employees and officials to job-order workers, stripping them of their functions.

The suspension order, dated July 8, was served by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which appointed Vice Mayor Justin Colago as acting mayor and First Councilor Carmela Acebedo as acting vice mayor.

The disciplinary action stemmed from a complaint filed by Colago on June 26, accusing Gapangada of grave abuse of authority, misconduct, neglect of duty, and oppression.Before the suspension was enforced, rumors about Gapangada's removal had already spread on social media.

DILG-Calabarzon director Ariel Iglesia noted that both the complainant and respondent received advance copies of the suspension order, while he only received it on Monday night.Gapangada contested the decision, vowing to seek court intervention and appealing for support from the Mayors for Good Governance coalition.He claimed the suspension notice was never formally served to him or his legal team.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between local officials and oversight bodies, raising questions about administrative accountability and procedural fairness in local governance.