BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Nueva Vizcaya has ordered the five-month suspension of Bagabag Vice Mayor Nestor Sevillena after finding him administratively liable for “grave abuse of authority” in connection with the use of a private property as a municipal motor pool.
In an 11-page decision dated June 8, the Provincial Board, sitting as a quasi-judicial body, said Sevillena entered into an arrangement without prior authorization from the Bagabag municipal board while he was serving as acting mayor.
The board cited an Aug. 11, 2025, offer from Norbert Ang that allowed the municipal government to use Ang’s private lot as a temporary motor pool free of charge.
According to the decision, Sevillena directed municipal personnel to fence and improve the lot and caused the procurement of construction materials worth P39,850.
The board ruled that these actions effectively constituted a contract entered into on behalf of the municipality without legislative authority, in violation of Section 22(c) of the Local Government Code (LGC).
That provision requires approval from the local legislative council before a local chief executive may enter into contracts for the local government unit.
The complaint was filed on Oct. 28, 2025, by several job-order personnel of the Bagabag municipal government.
They accused Sevillena of prematurely accepting the offer, reassigning workers to the project and approving improvements on the private property without proper authority.
Sevillena, however, denied wrongdoing.
In his defense, he said the arrangement involved no public funds because the use of the property was free of charge and was intended to serve the public interest.
He also cited his years of government service and stated that he was a first-time offender.
The provincial board rejected the defense.
It cited delivery receipts addressed to “LGU Bagabag c/o Acting Mayor Nestor Sevillena,” the purchase of materials and official actions that led to improvements on the property.
The board said good faith and public purpose could not excuse the lack of legal authorization required by law.
Through a 9-5 vote, the decision was reached, with nine members voting to hold Sevillena liable and five voting to dismiss the complaint.
But the names of those who voted were not disclosed while Vice Gov. Eufemia Ang-Dacayo, who presided over the proceedings, signed the ruling.
The suspension was imposed under Section 66(b) of the LGC and will take effect upon receipt of the order by Sevillena.