Marikina mayor says his suspension meant to `derail’ his candidacy
Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro denounced on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the preventive suspension issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman, saying this was “a broader effort to derail” his candidacy in the upcoming polls. —File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro branded on Tuesday the preventive suspension issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman as “a broader effort to derail” his candidacy in the upcoming polls and a “desperate attempt to besmirch” his name.
Teodoro, who is seeking reelection, issued the statement after a copy of the preventive suspension issued against him and 19 other Marikina City officials was released to the media on Tuesday afternoon.
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“I strongly believe that the preventive suspension issued against me is politically motivated and part of a broader effort to derail my candidacy in the May 12, 2025, midterm election. I am a casualty of political persecution, plain and simple,” the mayor said.
“In a desperate attempt to besmirch my name, they’ve filed numerous trumped-up charges against me before the Ombudsman, COA (Commission on Audit), Comelec (Commission on Elections, Civil Service, and other government agencies,” he added.
Teodoro claimed that the complaints filed against him were part of “a pattern of political harassment” aimed at him, adding that he will “remain a candidate” and “will not be intimidated.”
“The timing is very questionable, just days before the start of the official campaign period. It’s hard not to see this as a calculated political attack meant to damage my name and candidacy and shake the trust we’ve built with our constituents,” the mayor said.
“We are confident that we have a strong defense and will prove that these allegations have no basis or merit. We will face this head-on, with full transparency and accountability. We will continue our fight for good governance, a clean and honest service, and, most importantly, for every resident of Marikina who deserves better,” Teodoro also said.
“I urge everybody to remain calm as we will defend not just our name and reputation, but the progress we’ve worked and fought so hard to achieve together. Tuloy ang laban (The fight continues)!” he added.
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered a six-month preventive suspension against Teodoro and 19 other officials over the alleged misallocation of P130 million in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds.
- City Accountant Erlinda Gutierrez Gonzales
- City Treasurer Nerissa Calvez San Miguel
- Assistant City Budget Officer Jason Rodriguez Nepomuceno
- Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Noralyn Tingcungco
- And Sangguniang Panlungsod members:
- Vice Mayor Marion S. Andres
- Angelito R. Nunez
- Joseph B. Banzon
- Donn Carlo B. Favis
- Loreto F. Tolentino, Jr.
- Serafin Y. Bernardino
- Carl Eli F. Africa
- Cloyd S. Casimiro
- Marife T. Dayao
- Levy D. De Guzman
- Romina Kate N. De Guzman
- Samuel S. Ferriol
- Hilario A. Punzalan
- Manuel E. Sarmiento
Based on the document, the Ombudsman said it found “sufficient grounds” to issue a preventive suspension against Teodoro and others, “considering there is a strong evidence showing their guilt.”
The order stemmed from a complaint filed by Marikina resident Sofronio Dulay on May 15, 2024.
Based on the complaint, Dulay filed a criminal complaint for violation of Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code and an administrative case for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Teodoro, Gonzales, San Miguel, and Nepomuceno.
