Teodoro questions timing of malversation rap, sees ‘pattern of politicking’

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro questioned the timing of the complaint filed against him, which he said “seems to be part of a broader pattern of politicking and harassment” towards the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG).

The M4GG is a movement of 157 local chief executives committed to fighting corruption and upholding transparency, innovation, and accountable governance. Among the Metro Manila mayors who signed the M4GG manifesto were Teodoro, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

READ: Marikina mayor, three others face technical malversation rap

Teodoro and three other city officials are facing a technical malversation complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for reportedly misallocating 130 million in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds.

According to the mayor, similar tactics were also used against members of the M4GG since Sotto, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, are also facing complaints before the Ombudsman.

“The complaint filed against me and other city officials coincides with the upcoming filing of candidacy for the next elections. It’s hard to ignore the timing of this, as it raises some serious questions about the motivations behind it,” the Marikina mayor said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

As stated in Teodoro’s counter-affidavit, the mayor clarified that the PhilHealth funds in question are funds that were reimbursed during the pandemic, which remain intact and fully accounted for, as confirmed by audits conducted in previous years.

“While anyone can file a complaint with the Ombudsman, we must question the integrity of those who initiated this case. The allegations made are entirely baseless and unfounded. The funds in question remain intact and fully accounted for, as confirmed by previous audits. Given this, it is difficult to see how there could be any malversation or any violation of the law,” he reiterated.

Apart from clarifying the issue, Teodoro also called for a “fair and impartial” probe into the case.

Last May 15, Marikina resident Sofronio Dulay filed a technical malversation complaint along with an administrative case for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Teodoro, City Accountant Erlinda Gutierrez Gonzales, City Treasurer Nerissa Calvez San Miguel, and Assistant City Budget Officer Jason Rodriguez Nepomuceno.

Based on a copy of the complaint Dulay released on Tuesday, the four were accused of misusing PhilHealth payments meant for health system improvements under the Universal Health Care Act.

Earlier on Wednesday, the M4GG also issued a statement denouncing what it called “motivated attacks” against several of its members ahead of the 2025 polls.

“Ipinapahayag ng Mayors for Good Governance ang buong suporta at tiwala sa ating mga convenor na sina Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, at gayundin kay Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas,” the movement said in a statement.

(The Mayors for Good Governance supports and trusts our convenors Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, at gayundin kay Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.)

“Ang mga isinampang reklamo laban sa kanila sa Ombudsman ay pagkakataon upang lumabas ang katotohanan at malinis ang kanilang mga pangalan. Ngunit hindi natin isinasantabi na ang mga ito ay pamumulitika at panggigipit sa kanila lalo na’t pumapalapit na ang Filing of Candidacies para sa Halalan 2025,” it added.

(The cases filed against them before the Ombudsman are also a chance for the truth to come out and to clear their names. But we do not disregard that these may be acts of politicking and harassment against them especially since the Filing of Candidacies for the 2025 Election is approaching.)

The group likewise stood by the mayors’ credibility and integrity as they called for a fair investigation.

Reports revealed that Sotto is currently facing graft complaints for reportedly granting illegal discounts to a telecommunications provider and his alleged failure to distribute cash allowances to Pasig City Hall employees.

On the other hand, the complaint against Treñas is related to the demolition of the historic Iloilo City public market, popularly known as Central Market.