Guindulman Mayor Albino ‘Ben’ Balo has stepped down from office after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal over alleged irregularities in municipal projects.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Balo confirmed receiving the Ombudsman’s decision and announced that his resignation was effective immediately.
‘With all due respect to the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman, I am officially stepping down as your Municipal Mayor effective today,’ Balo said.
He assured residents that the municipal government would continue to operate smoothly under Vice Mayor Engr. Jimmy Busano, who will assume the mayoralty, while Councilor Abigail Lagura-Gutang will become vice mayor by succession.
Balo urged Guindulman residents to extend their trust and support to the new officials.
‘You will be in good hands under Vice Mayor Engr. Jimmy Busano, who will now serve as your Mayor, and Councilor Abigail Lagura-Gutang, who will assume as Vice Mayor by law of succession. I hope you will give them the same support, respect, and love you have given me,’ he said.
Balo maintained his innocence, insisting there was no corruption under his administration.
‘Let me repeat-Ben Balo did not steal. I did not sit in office to enrich myself but to serve sincerely and honestly. We all pass through this world-what matters most is that we leave behind kindness, goodness, and love for others,’ he said, stressing that his intention had always been to serve Guindulman with integrity.
The Ombudsman’s decision, dated September 12, 2025, found Balo and several municipal officials administratively liable for the questionable construction of a giant Christmas tree in 2022 and a multi-purpose billboard cell in 2023.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed on February 28, 2024, by resident Bernard Banal of Barangay Mayuga, who accused Balo and other officials of violating Section 4(a) of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), Sections 17(b) and 23 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), and Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act).
On November 28, 2022, the Guindulman municipal government unveiled a 65-foot Christmas tree touted as the tallest in Bohol.
However, records show that in March 2023, the town bid out a ‘multi-purpose billboard’ project that appeared identical to the Christmas tree.
Documents also revealed a payment of over P1 million to a contractor, using a photo of the same tree as proof of completion, suggesting the project was falsified since the structure already existed months earlier.
Also dismissed were Municipal Engineer Rodney Jones Labang, former Municipal Engineer Ariston Beronio, Municipal Treasurer Jean Janiola (also known as Jean dela Peña), Administrative Aide II/TO-designate Dennis Theodore Besinga, and Administrative Aide III/HRMO-designate Evelyn Hinatuan.
The Ombudsman said there was substantial evidence supporting the charges against them.
Meanwhile, the cases against Engineering Aide Jun Andreo Cellacay, Municipal Accountant Consolacion dela Peña, Municipal Budget Officer Aida Mahilum, and Municipal Assessor Christopher Beruan were dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.
Balo ended his statement on a hopeful note, thanking the people of Guindulman for their trust and support.
‘Thank you for your continued trust, love, and unity. Until we meet again, I will see you around,’ he said.