TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (March 17, 2026) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Tarlac has ordered the reinstatement of a six-month suspension against Punong Barangay Jay-Ar Navarro of Barangay Tibag, effectively reversing a previous city-level decision that had cleared him of administrative charges.
In a decision dated February 26, 2026, the provincial board found Navarro guilty of Gross Negligence, Dereliction of Duty, Abuse of Authority, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
The ruling stems from an appeal filed by Susan Areno Yap-Sulit, who accused the village chief of unjustly refusing to issue her a Certificate of Residency and attempting to forcibly enter her home.
The case, docketed as SP Administrative Appeal No. 01-2025, has seen a series of conflicting rulings between different legislative bodies.
On June 19, 2025, the 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tarlac City initially found Navarro guilty and imposed a six-month suspension. However, after a Motion for Reconsideration was filed, the succeeding 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod reversed that decision on September 24, 2025, clearing Navarro of all charges and lifting his suspension.
The Provincial Board, however, ruled that the 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod erred in entertaining a motion for reconsideration, noting that under Section 67 of the Local Government Code, the proper remedy for such cases is an appeal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, not a motion for reconsideration at the city level.
It can be recalled that the city’s 9th Sanggunian was dominated by pro-Yap legislators, while the 10th Sanggunian had them in the minority.
The provincial board’s decision highlighted Navarro’s “excessive display of power” when he refused to issue the residency certification despite Yap-Sulit presenting multiple proofs of residence, including a voter’s ID, driver’s license, and a notarized affidavit.
Furthermore, the SP found that Navarro exceeded his authority by bringing barangay officials to the complainant’s private residence in an attempt to conduct an unauthorized “on-site ocular inspection”. The board described these actions as “capriciously excessive” and “tainted with bad faith and political motives”.
“As an elected official, he exceeded his authority, and such action is tantamount to his flagrant and culpable refusal to perform his duty,” the SP decision stated.
The SP has tasked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Tarlac City Operations Officer to implement the suspension in coordination with the Office of the Local Chief Executive.
The decision was signed by Vice Governor Estelita Aquino and Board Members Carlito David, Henry Cruz, Joy Gilbert Lamorena, Pearl Angeli Pacada, Harmes Sembrano, Christopher Delos Reyes, Agustito Roxas, Antonio Villanueva, Emilio Macasaet, Edward Suarez, and Lukecorinth Pagarigan. Board Members Dennis Norman Go and Arron Villaflor voted in the negative.
The administrative complaint was originally filed in January 2025. It was briefly referred to the Committee on Barangay Affairs for potential amicable settlement, but Yap-Sulit maintained her firm decision to proceed with the formal investigation.
During the initial city-level proceedings, Navarro had argued that the complaint was hearsay, but the SP later dismissed this, noting that several witnesses had corroborated the allegations and were cross-examined during the hearings.
