By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Acting Vice Mayor Dino M. Romero addresses city employees during the Monday flag-raising ceremony led by ...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
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| Acting Vice Mayor Dino M. Romero addresses city employees during the Monday flag-raising ceremony led by the Office of the City Vice Mayor at the New Tayabas City Hall atrium on Sept. 21, 2026. (Tayabas City-CICRO) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - Councilor Dino Marquez Romero stepped into the Tayabas City vice mayoralty after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Vice Mayor Rosauro “Oro” Dalida for six months and one day without pay. Romero’s takeover became publicly visible Monday as he joined city officials at the New Tayabas City Hall and prepared to preside over the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The Office of the City Vice Mayor handled the September 21 flag-raising ceremony at the city hall atrium, where Mayor Anthony “Piwa” Lim led officials and employees in attendance. City Local Government Operations Officer Fe B. Roales formally endorsed Romero’s assumption as acting vice mayor following Dalida’s suspension.
Romero also used the ceremony to express his readiness to carry out the duties transferred to him and continue serving Tayabas residents. His appearance marked the transition of council leadership from the suspension order to the day-to-day operations of the city government.
The leadership change followed the Ombudsman’s finding that Dalida was administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. DILG CALABARZON Regional Director Ariel Iglesia enforced the six-month-and-one-day suspension, removing Dalida from his official functions without pay during the penalty period.
The enforcement order specified both the length of Dalida’s suspension and the loss of his salary while the sanction remains in force. Published reports identified Romero, the city’s first councilor, as the official who would act as vice mayor during Dalida’s absence.
“He is hereby meted the penalty of Suspension of Six (6) months and one day Without Pay pursuant to Section 5, Rule VI, Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2026, in relation to Section 25 of Republic Act No. 6770,” the order stated.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by retired Ambassador Fortunato Oblena over a disputed road project that reached his property in February 2024. Oblena alleged that workers damaged coconut trees and other vegetation before he discovered an approximately 200-meter road already under construction across his land.
Oblena further alleged that the road would provide access to property acquired by Dalida and being developed for a commercial housing project. He also claimed that Dalida sought support from the Barangay Council of Camaysa despite the alleged absence of approvals from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The retired ambassador maintained that farmers already used another access road, challenging the need to open a new route across his property. The Ombudsman’s reported ruling ultimately found Dalida administratively liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, rather than establishing every allegation raised in Oblena’s complaint.
Dalida complied with the suspension but disputed allegations that he misused or personally benefited from government funds connected with the project. He maintained that his involvement sought to improve the area and pointed to a barangay request for road rehabilitation as support for the project.
“Wala naman akong ginagawang masama; tumulong lang ako para mapaganda ang lugar at matugunan ang pangangailangan ng komunidad. Wala akong nakuhang pera mula sa gobyerno o personal na pakinabang sa proyekto, kaya naniniwala akong napulitika lamang ang isyung ito,” Dalida said.
Romero now assumes the vice mayor’s presiding responsibilities while Dalida remains unable to perform his duties during the suspension. The city government has also sought DILG guidance on the formal designation and rules governing Romero’s acting role, while saying government operations and services would continue.
Romero will preside over the Sangguniang Panlungsod while Dalida serves the six-month-and-one-day penalty imposed by the Ombudsman. The arrangement places council sessions and legislative proceedings under Romero’s temporary leadership for the duration of the suspension.
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