Mayor Pacquiao to spar with Ombudsman over P2.3B market deal

The Office of the Ombudsman has directed General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao and eight members of the city council to respond to a graft complaint filed over the proposed P2.3 billion "mallengke" redevelopment deal.

The complaint, lodged in 2023 by City Councilor Jose Edmar Yumang, alleges violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) in connection with an unsolicited proposal from Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) to redevelop the city’s central public market.

Aside from Mayor Pacquiao, the complaint names councilors Dominador Lagare Jr., Jose Orlando Acharon, Maria Lourdes Casabuena, Elizabeth Bagonoc, Richard Atendido, Virginia Llido, Lucio Cawayan Sr., and Elijah Joanne Polistico, as well as members of the Local Development Council and the negotiating committee.

The Ombudsman has ordered the respondents to submit their counter-affidavits within ten days of receiving the directive, along with supporting documents and affidavits from their witnesses.

Councilor Atendido, one of the respondents, confirmed that they have filed a motion for extension. In an interview with The Snitch, Atendido dismissed the complaint as premature and lacking legal basis. “There’s nothing to worry about. The case is malicious and improperly filed. We may even pursue claims for damages,” he said.

Last month, Atty. Hajji Herrera, Mayor Pacquiao’s chief of staff, announced via social media that the Sangguniang Panlungsod had issued a notice of approval for RLC’s unsolicited proposal. The redevelopment plan for the public market, locally dubbed “mallengke,” is part of the city government’s push to modernize local infrastructure.