Silay mayor welcomes probe amid corruption allegations

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego said he is open to any investigation regarding corruption charges made against him by a lawmaker, calling the accusations “political harassment.”

Gallego dismissed the allegations by Negros Occidental 3rd District caretaker Representative Stephen Joseph Paduano, who claimed there were irregularities in the implementation of infrastructure projects in Silay City.

“There is no basis for his accusations. Everything we do goes through the proper process and complies with the law,” Gallego told Daily Guardian.

“This is political harassment, with the filing of candidacies for the 2025 midterm polls just around the corner.”

Gallego added that the accusations are mere allegations without evidence. “We will address this in the proper forum,” he said.

Paduano, who chairs the House committee on public accounts, announced that his committee will investigate alleged procurement anomalies and the questionable enactment of local measures by the Silay City government.

Paduano claimed that local measures approved by the Silay City government under Gallego’s leadership involved discrepancies, irregularities, and partiality, which could lead to the misuse of public funds and harm the city’s residents.

Paduano referred to projects including the P300 million repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of the Silay public market and the P500 million construction of a new City Government Center.

Gallego maintained that all projects followed proper procedures as required by law. “This is trial by publicity and a demolition job because elections are near,” he said.

He explained that of the P1.1 billion loan secured by his administration, P500 million is allocated for the construction of the new City Government Center, which had a proposed budget of P1 billion under the previous administration.

Another P300 million each is set for the Silay public market and the Silay City College.

Gallego also clarified that contrary to claims, the three infrastructure projects have different contractors.

Gallego, who is seeking a second term as mayor in the 2025 elections, said he is ready to face any inquiry. He is expected to be challenged by former Mayor Mark Golez, whom he defeated in 2022.

Golez is an ally of Paduano and is supported by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez and TESDA Secretary Francisco Benitez.