Toledo City Hall Erupts in Tense Standoff Over Reinstated Official
A dramatic confrontation unfolded at Toledo City Hall on the morning of Thursday, January 29, 2026, creating a scene of administrative discord. Reinstated City Treasurer Leonardo Rivera Jr. found himself physically barred from entering his designated workplace, despite holding official documentation authorizing his return to duty. The incident, captured in a widely circulated online video, has ignited a fierce debate over jurisdictional authority and local governance protocols.
Doorstep Confrontation and Conflicting Accounts
In the viral footage, Rivera is visibly attempting to gain access to the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO). Security personnel stationed at the entrance informed him that the door had been secured with a padlock, acting on direct verbal instructions from Mayor Marjorie “Joy” Perales. Rivera, brandishing his papers, countered that he was merely complying with a legitimate directive issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). "I have the papers, I have an order... I was just following it," he asserted to the guards, highlighting the bureaucratic impasse.
However, the Toledo City Government swiftly issued a denial regarding the office's closure. City Legal Officer Hazan Bargamento clarified that the CTO remains operational for public transactions, with enhanced security measures implemented solely to prevent potential disruptions. Bargamento referenced an incident the previous day where Rivera arrived accompanied by individuals described as "bodyguards" and "supporters" without official business, justifying the heightened vigilance.
Legal Grounds and Authority Dispute
The city administration maintains its refusal to recognize Rivera’s reinstatement, citing unresolved legal proceedings. Officials pointed to ongoing administrative and criminal cases filed against him, including serious allegations of malversation and serious dishonesty currently under review by the Office of the Ombudsman. This legal backdrop forms the core of the city’s resistance.
The standoff underscores a fundamental clash over appointment powers:
- The Treasurer’s Position: Rivera insists that exclusive authority to appoint city treasurers resides with the DOF, not local government units, making his reinstatement order legally binding.
- The Mayor’s Stance: Mayor Perales has appointed Glenda Macapobre as the office’s caretaker and has formally requested the DOF to assign a different treasurer to ensure uninterrupted city operations.
Rivera issued a stark warning about the practical consequences of this deadlock. He emphasized that the dispute could severely disrupt Toledo City’s financial machinery, potentially halting payroll processing, check issuances, and critical bank transactions if documents are signed by an official whose authority is contested.
Historical Context and Ongoing Legal Battle
The roots of this conflict trace back to 2024 when Rivera was transferred from his post amidst controversies surrounding the city's Bids and Awards Committee. Rivera alleges he was targeted in retaliation for filing graft complaints against several city officials, while his detractors have accused him of engaging in "double dealings" with suppliers.
As the legal wrangling continues, Rivera is currently operating from a temporary base at the BLGF regional office in Cebu City. Meanwhile, the Toledo City Government has escalated the matter by filing an appeal with the Civil Service Commission, arguing that the decision to reinstate him is not yet final and executable. This standoff remains a volatile flashpoint in local governance, with significant implications for administrative autonomy and financial stability.
