Angeles City suspends two key officials as investigators probe the deadly building collapse in Barangay Balibago, Pampanga. Learn about the preventive suspension, possible criminal liability for engineers and contractors, and ongoing efforts to aid affected workers and families.
Aram Lascano
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The Angeles City government has ordered the preventive suspension of two officials to allow an impartial investigation into the building collapse in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga.
According to Angeles City Information Officer Jay Pelayo, the suspension of Engr. Marlon Lingat, structural engineer of the City Engineer’s Office, and Arch. Norbert Lagman, city building official of the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO), will take effect on 1 June 2026.
Meanwhile, the legal counsel for building owner Ernest Jackson Lim and contractor Golden Years and Steel Works said their immediate priority is providing assistance to affected construction workers and their families.
“We are now focused on providing assistance to the affected construction workers and their families,” said Atty. Nico Manguerra.
Manguerra added that the families of the two fatalities had already reached out to the owner and contractor for funeral and burial assistance.
He also said they had submitted a list of construction workers who were on duty on 23 May, when the incident occurred.
Another legal counsel for the owner and contractor, Atty. Willy Rivera, said they would conduct their own investigation while fully cooperating with the Angeles City Task Force created by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.
According to City Legal Counsel Atty. Darwin Reyes, both the contractor and city engineers could face criminal liability if negligence is established during the investigation.
Authorities are continuing their probe to determine the cause of the collapse and identify any parties that may be held accountable.
