Andaya Denies Graft Charges Over Catering Deal in Sigma

By Felipe V. Celino

SIGMA, Capiz – Outgoing Vice Mayor Christopher Andaya has denied accusations that he violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by awarding catering contracts to a business allegedly owned by his live-in partner during his time as mayor.

“This is politically motivated and a form of harassment because they filed the case during the election period,” Andaya told Daily Guardian on Tuesday, May 20.

He added that he has not yet received a formal copy of the complaint from the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint, filed on April 7 and 8, 2025, accuses Andaya of entering into transactions with CJ Catering Services, allegedly owned by his partner, Mary Jane L. Aguilar.

The complainants claimed the firm provided food services to the Sigma municipal government from 2015 to 2022, when Andaya served as mayor.

They alleged that Aguilar is Andaya’s live-in partner and the mother of a minor-aged child.

According to the complaint, Aguilar gave birth at Saint Anthony College Hospital at age 28, while Andaya was 46.

The complainants submitted vouchers and documents they say support their claims.

They cited violations of Sections 3(d), 3(g) and 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Section 3(d) prohibits public officials from allowing family members to work in private enterprises with pending business before the government.

Section 3(g) bars government officials from entering contracts grossly disadvantageous to the government, whether or not personal gain is involved.

Section 3(h) prohibits officials from having a direct or indirect financial interest in contracts in which they intervene in their official capacity.

The complainants asserted that their filing was not intended to harass, delay proceedings or inflate litigation costs, and that the allegations are supported by evidence or will be substantiated during discovery.

Complainants include Juan Besa of Barangay Parian, Stephen Orillanes of Barangay Mangoso, Ledelyn Dalida of Barangay Oyong, Dan Justin Eslabon of Barangay Parian, Ernesto Gicalde of Poblacion Norte, Crispin Alayon of Poblacion Norte, Cyndy Grace Francisco of Poblacion Sur, Esperedion Pelaez of Poblacion Sur, Thomas Lagulay of Barangay Amaga, Christopher Alayon of Poblacion Norte, and Norman Marcelino of Poblacion Sur.

Andaya lost his mayoral bid in the recent elections to reelectionist Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon by 106 votes.

The two were former allies in the 2022 elections but later split after Eslabon reportedly discovered Andaya was building a rival political group.