MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension without pay of Catanduanes Vice Governor Robert Fernandez and 11 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for six months over allegations of grave misconduct and related administrative offenses involving the alleged irregular use of the province’s Quick Response Fund (QRF).

In a media report, it said that in a statement, the Ombudsman said the administrative complaints arose from the respondents’ revision of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (PDRRMC) proposed utilization of the P30.5-million QRF.

Instead of using the funds for goods and immediate disaster response needs, the respondents allegedly redirected P26 million of the QRF for the distribution of cash assistance following the impact of Super Typhoon “Uwan” in November 2025.

The case was filed by Catanduanes Governor Patrick Azanza, who vetoed the ordinance passed by the vice governor and other board members, citing the Joint Circular 2013-1, which does not include cash assistance among allowable immediate response activities.

In a nine-page order dated May 22, the Ombudsman said there were sufficient grounds to impose preventive suspension.

“The Office finds sufficient grounds to preventively suspend herein respondents considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt; the charges against them involve grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service which may warrant their removal from the service,” the order read.

It added that the respondents’ continued stay in office may affect the integrity of the investigation.

“Their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them; there is a need to preserve the documents and evidence pertaining to this case which they may have control and custody in order to avoid further commission of malfeasance and/or misfeasance in office,” it said.

Aside from Fernandez, also suspended were Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Josevan Balidoy, Giovanni Balmadrid, Jose Romeo Francisco, Alvin Rodriguez, Edwin Tanael, Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr., Arnel Turado, Dean Roberto Vergara, Tito Villamor, Santos Zafe, and Rafael Zuniega.

Under the order, the respondents are placed under suspension without pay for up to six months pending the final resolution of the administrative case.