Ex-mayor named NIA chief

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Eduardo Eddie Guillen as acting administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, Press Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed to reporters on Monday.

"Pursuant to the provision of existing laws, you are hereby appointed as acting administrator and member, Board of Directors, National Irrigation Administration, vice Benny D. Antiporda," the order read.

A former mayor of Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Guillen replaced Benny Antiporda, who has been slapped with a six-month suspension order from the Ombudsman following an administrative complaint from NIA employees.

The order stemmed from the complaints filed against him by the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines accusing him of Grave Misconduct, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, and Oppression.

Among other things, the complainants claimed that Antiporda allegedly vented his ire on NIA employees by preventing them from traveling — which, the employees said, would be "counterproductive" to their work.