Ombudsman Dismisses Graft Plaint Against La Castellana Mayor

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has dismissed the complaint for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act filed by Elvin de la Fuente against La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of Negros Occidental.

The Ombudsman decision, a copy of which was furnished to Daily Guardian on Friday, stated that the office approved the evaluator’s report dated July 11, 2024, which noted that the complainant failed to submit evidence that could serve as a basis for conducting an investigation.

“A mere request is not sufficient to support an investigation,” the Ombudsman decision further said.

It cited Rule 1, Section 3 of Administrative Order No. 7, otherwise known as the Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman, which provides that a complaint may be in any form, either verbal or written.

However, for a speedier disposition, it is preferable that the complaint be in writing and under oath.

The decision added, “Wherefore, premises considered, the subject complaint is respectfully recommended for outright dismissal, without prejudice to the filing of a formal complaint sufficient in substance and form.”

Earlier, Mangilimutan expressed readiness to undergo a lifestyle check and denied the graft and corruption charges filed against her by a former casual employee at the municipal hall.

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

The mayor expressed disgust at being subjected to trial by publicity by de la Fuente, who 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 included department heads of the municipal government, who were also accused by de la Fuente of questionable actions.

Mangilimutan noted 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 Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

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

Despite La Castellana 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 the law.

Now in her third term as mayor, Mangilimutan claimed that 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.

Once again, Mangilimutan said she felt vindicated as the complaint was dismissed without her being required to answer the charges.