Sigma vice mayor denies charges over Boracay travel

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Sigma Vice Mayor Stephen Firmalino Alayon has denied the administrative charges filed against him by two Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members before the Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Alayon was accused of dereliction of duty, gross neglect of duty, oppression and violation of Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

In his counter-affidavit filed before the Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Alayon said he decided not to approve the funds requested by SB members Christopher L. Alayon and Katherine Marie Q. Medrozo to attend the Philippine Councilors League seminar and midyear assembly in Boracay from July 9 to 11, 2026, because of budget limitations.

According to him, the appropriated budget for seminars and training under the Office of the Vice Mayor and Sangguniang Bayan members was PHP 1 million for 2026.

The counter-affidavit also showed that Christopher Alayon had PHP 21,575.70 remaining from his PHP 100,000 allocation, while Medrozo had PHP 31,252.02 remaining.

The vice mayor clarified that the remaining funds needed to be reserved for the basic needs and official obligations of the municipal council during the last six months of 2026.

He cited Sections 336 and 344 of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which govern the use of appropriated funds and require proper certification and approval before public funds can be disbursed.

“I didn’t deny the request of the two SB members but I would only know the actual status of the funds,” he added.

The SP had earlier summoned Alayon to answer the administrative complaint filed against him by the two incumbent SB members.

The provincial board gave Alayon 15 days from receipt of the summons to submit a verified answer and present his defense against the allegations raised by Christopher Alayon and Medrozo.

In an order dated Oct. 14, 2026, the SP found the complaint sufficient in form and substance following a recommendation from its Committee on Laws and Good Governance.

“Upon recommendation of the committee on laws and good governance, that the complaint be given due course of being sufficient in form and substance and pursuant to SP Resolution No. 591, Series of 2026, the SP finds the complaint to be sufficient in form and substance.”, the order stated.

The provincial board directed the vice mayor to submit his verified answer within the prescribed 15-day period.

“Failure or refusal of the respondent to file verified answer within the prescribed period shall be deemed a waiver of the right to file the same and to present defenses thereunder”, the summons stated.

The verified answer must be submitted in writing, under oath, and must include the respondent’s full name, including his middle name.

Alayon faces allegations of dereliction of duty, gross neglect of duty, oppression and violation of RA 11032.

The complaint stemmed from his alleged refusal to issue travel orders allowing the two municipal councilors to attend a legislative seminar in Boracay in July 2026.

Under Section 336 of the Local Government Code, appropriated funds must be used exclusively for their intended purposes, while Section 344 requires certification of appropriations and fund availability before disbursements can be made.

The provincial board’s determination that the complaint is sufficient in form and substance allows the administrative proceedings to move forward but does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Alayon has been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and present his defense as part of the proceedings.