Mayor denies graft charges, open to lifestyle check

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Negros Occidental expressed readiness to undergo a lifestyle check and denied the graft and corruption charges levied against her by a former casual employee at the municipal hall.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Mangilimutan stated she is prepared to face the charges in the proper forum.

“File charges against me in court, I will face it,” she said.

The mayor expressed disgust at being subjected to trial by publicity by Elvin de la Fuente, who also allegedly made derogatory remarks about her children.

Mangilimutan announced her intent to file charges against de la Fuente and others involved.

“I am consulting with my lawyer. Definitely, I will be filing charges. Enough is enough,” she added.

The press conference also included department heads of the municipal government, who were also accused by de la Fuente of questionable actions.

Mangilimutan mentioned that de la Fuente, who used to handle funds for cash assistance, left town due to alleged unpaid debts and unliquidated cash advances.

In his Facebook posts, de la Fuente questioned the mayor about the municipal government’s loan and the cash and goods assistance donated to the town after the eruption of Canlaon volcano.

Mangilimutan insisted that all assistance received was recorded and accounted for. “It is all documented,” she stressed.

She explained that the municipal government, through the Sangguniang Bayan, authorized the loan to fast-track development due to a lack of local resources.

Among the projects funded were rescue vehicles for each barangay for disaster preparedness and a sanitary landfill as required under RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Mangilimutan emphasized her administration’s transparency and asserted that she has nothing to hide.

Despite the town being only a second-class municipality, it has commenced the construction of a hospital and established its own college. A mini-coliseum is also planned.

The municipal government has received the Seal of Good Local Governance, which Mangilimutan said reflects that she is running the local government according to law.

On her third term as mayor, Mangilimutan claimed the charges against her are politically motivated and recycled issues that resurface around election time.

She lamented that her political nemesis, former Vice Mayor Chad Feria, has been implicated by de la Fuente in the attacks against her, including her personal life.

“He even questioned my love life, searching for a Certificate of No Marriage. I assure you, I don’t indulge in bigamy. My annulment is pending in court,” she said.

Mangilimutan added that the local government has posted a Full Disclosure of Local Budget, Finances, Aids, and Public Offering for public scrutiny.