Comelec disqualifies San Pascual mayoral bet

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a Certificate of Finality in the case Danilo A. Marquez vs Arlene Bantugon Magboo (SPA No. 24-264).

The Comelec En Banc denied the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the respondent, Arlene Bantugon Magboo, mayoralty candidate in San Pascual, Batangas, thereby rendering the decision final and executory as of 14 January 2025.

“This is to certify on 7 January 2025, the Commission promulgated a Resolution in the above-entitled case, the dispositive portion of which reads: ‘Wherefore the premises considered, the Commission (en banc) resolved, as it hereby resolves to deny the motion for reconsideration so ordered,’” the decision said.

The poll body said that the promulgation dated 7 January 2025 “is final and executory.”

Meanwhile, lawmakers in the House of Representatives filed House Resolution No. 2148, which seeks to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds and irregularities in the operations of the Office of the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Bauan, Batangas, under Mayor Ryann Dolor.

The three-page HB 2148 is aimed at upholding good governance and combating corruption.

The resolution, backed by Representatives Amparo Maria Ortega Zamora, Khonghun Gutierrez, Zia Alonto Adiong, and Raul Angelo Bongalon, is said to “ reflect a broader advocacy to promote transparency and accountability in local governance.”

HB2148 stated that “the Commission on Audit (CoA) issued a Notice of Disallowance dated November 28, 2018, identifying irregularities in the bidding process and in transactions with Aquadata Inc., which was awarded a General Management Contract (GMC) despite failing to meet legal and financial qualifications; the privatization of the BWS resulted in a grossly disadvantageous revenue-sharing arrangement, granting Aquadata Inc. 95 percent of net revenues while the Municipality retained only 5 percent, and led to substantial financial losses for the local government.”

It also said that subsequent extensions of the GMC through a holdover agreement and the eventual sale of the BWS facility at a grossly undervalued price of P100,636,000, despite its assessed value of P148,000,000 further compounded the financial disadvantage to the Municipality of Bauan.

It cited irregularities in the privatization and/or alleged leasing of the land, which may constitute a violation of Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.