The camp of former Malabon City Mayor and now congressional candidate Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III called the recently filed graft and corruption charges against him part of a “larger smear campaign.”
According to the former mayor’s camp, the charge is part of a series of corruption accusations that had been filed since March 2025.
“These claims are related to missing e-trikes, which they allege were connected to Oreta’s administration,” it said in a statement.
Atty. Chael Niño Santiago, Oreta’s election lawyer, added that the latest move “aims to undermine Oreta’s credibility and public trust.”
Romeo Dimaunahan, a tricycle driver from Malabon City, filed the graft complaint against Oreta last Friday before the Office of the Ombudsman.
He alleged the incomplete distribution of electric tricycle units to drivers’ associations. Additionally, 42 electric bike units, valued at P22.4 million, were allegedly unaccounted for by the former local administration, he claimed.
Oreta’s camp urged residents to “remain vigilant” and “cautious” amid the malicious attacks.
The former mayor is facing former An Waray Partylist Representative Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel, Vice Mayor Bernard dela Cruz, and former Congressman Ricky Sandoval.