Ombudsman clears Negros Occ. mayor of graft raps

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed both the criminal and administrative complaints filed against then-La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla G. Nicor-Mangilimutan for alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave misconduct.

In a joint resolution dated July 3, 2025, a copy of which was furnished to reporters over the weekend, the Ombudsman ruled that there was no probable cause to indict Nicor-Mangilimutan for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 and found no substantial evidence to hold her administratively liable for grave misconduct.

The complaints, filed by Elvin Dela Fuente in August 2024, accused the mayor of placing her alleged household employees under the payroll of the municipal government of La Castellana.

However, the Ombudsman said the accusations were unsubstantiated and based on mere allegations and speculation.

The investigation found no proof that the two individuals named in the complaint, identified as Maricel M. Madrigal and Jocelyn L. Magbanua, were household staff paid by the municipality.

Records instead showed they were engaged under the town’s Clean and Green Program for one month, from March 11 to April 15, 2020.

The Ombudsman gave more weight to the mayor’s explanation and the corroborating statements of witnesses, who said Madrigal and Magbanua only rendered occasional massage and laundry services to the mayor during weekends and were paid personally by her.

Citing jurisprudence, the resolution stated: “Mere allegation is not evidence and is not equivalent to proof. Charges based on mere suspicion and speculation cannot be given credence.”

It further ruled that the complainant failed to present any payroll records or documents showing undue benefit or injury to the government.

In dismissing the administrative case, the Ombudsman said there was no evidence of corruption, intent to violate the law, or flagrant disregard of rules that would constitute grave misconduct.

The criminal case was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

The resolution, signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Jo-Ann T. Suarez-Pabra, was reviewed and recommended for approval by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Daryl P. Vargas and Jess Vincent A. Dela Peña, and approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires through Deputy Ombudsman for MOLEO Joseph E. Balmeo Jr.

The case stemmed from accusations tied to the 2025 local elections, where the complainant and the mayor were said to be political rivals for the position of vice mayor.

Nicor-Mangilimutan ended her three terms as mayor and, in the 2025 polls, ran for vice mayor in tandem with her brother An̈ejo Nicor as mayor; both won their respective posts.