GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Former General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and 15 other individuals are facing criminal and administrative charges for alleged malversation of public funds tied to the city’s social welfare program.

Current Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao filed the complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing Rivera and his co-respondents of misusing funds under the AMPing (Auxiliaries and Medical Program for Individuals and Needy Generals) initiative during Rivera’s tenure.

In a statement, Mayor Pacquiao confirmed the filing of the cases, identified as OMB-M-C-FEB-25-0024 (criminal) and OMB-M-A-FEB-25-0038 (administrative). She alleged that the defendants engaged in misappropriation and irregular disbursement of program funds intended for vulnerable constituents.

The other respondents include former AMPING focal person Joel Duterte; ex-executive assistants Dave Arreglado, Karl Vincent Quiepo, Armie Gultiano, Merfin Shaula Padayao and Lyra Jill Javier; and personnel Corazon Guerra, Rogelio Odi Jr., Alver Lamoste, Alain Dime, Lydia Carino, Donna Mae Clara, Jeany Tedera, Zenaida Eturma and Rheasababes Sumalpong.

As of this writing, Rivera and the other accused parties have not issued any public statements regarding the allegations.