Cagayan governor shows up at House hearing on public spending ban

House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba voluntarily appeared before the House of Representatives panel, probing the alleged distribution of cash assistance during a period when election laws prohibit such activities.

During the House Committee on Public Accounts hearing and the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on Thursday, Mamba explained his side — a week after Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop moved to have the governor detained at the House complex.

Acop also moved to cite Mamba in contempt for his failure to attend the joint hearing for the past three months.

Mamba, however, claimed that he was excused from the House hearings because discussing the issue would violate the sub judice rule on similar cases before the court.

During the Thursday hearing, Mamba reasoned that he could not attend hearings because the provincial government is focused on assisting residents affected by Typhoon Egay, including those in remote areas.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed Mamba’s move, saying it preserves the country’s democratic institutions.

“Governor Mamba’s choice to voluntarily surrender is a commendable stride in safeguarding the integrity of our democratic institutions,” Romualdez said.

“It signifies his readiness to collaborate with the House’s proceedings and underscores a steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of accountability and transparency that form the cornerstone of our democracy,” he added.

Romualdez said Mamba’s well-being would be ensured while under House custody.

“The House of Representatives is fully committed to adhering to all established legal procedures and safeguards throughout this process, ensuring fairness and due process,” he noted.

Mamba was initially disqualified by the second division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in December 2022 for violating the public spending ban during the May 2022 polls.

In March 2023, however, the Comelec en banc reversed the earlier decision, saying that the poll body does not have the authority or jurisdiction to hear or resolve the case. 

Eventually, it led Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Jojo Lara to file House Resolutions No. 145 and 146, asking the Commission on Audit to check on the alleged illegal expenditures.

gsg/abc