Laguna mayors back Aragones amid graft complaint
Laguna municipal mayors and provincial officials gather at the Provincial Capitol in Santa Cruz, Laguna, on 12 October 2026, in a show of support for Governor Sol Aragones amid controversy surrounding a graft complaint involving the provincial government's examination review assistance program.
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna — Nineteen municipal mayors in Laguna expressed support for Governor Sol Aragones during a gathering at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, 12 October, amid controversy surrounding a graft complaint filed against the governor and other provincial officials.
Rizal Mayor Vener Muñoz, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Laguna Chapter, led the expression of support, reaffirming the municipal leaders' solidarity with the provincial administration.
According to the Laguna provincial government, the mayors gathered to demonstrate unity amid what they described as political attacks and misinformation directed at Aragones.
The governor welcomed their support and maintained that she had not misused public funds.
“Hindi ako nagnakaw at hindi kailanman magnanakaw ng pera ng bayan,” Aragones declared.
The gathering came approximately two weeks after a graft complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Aragones and several provincial officials over alleged irregularities involving the province's examination review assistance program.
The complaint raised questions about the implementation and management of the program, which provides assistance to examination review beneficiaries.
Aragones previously denied wrongdoing and attributed the allegations to political motives.
The provincial government's statement on Monday did not explicitly link the mayors' gathering to the pending complaint.
The expression of support does not affect the independent authority of the Ombudsman to evaluate the allegations and determine whether further proceedings are warranted.
The latest status of the complaint and whether the Ombudsman has required the respondents to submit counter-affidavits have not been confirmed.
The October 12 gathering represents a public show of support for Aragones from municipal officials as scrutiny of the provincial government's review assistance program continues.