“So, the element in the (fund’s) utilization in the case of technical malversation is not attendant or present. Because it can be said that in technical malversation there is the element of utilization of fund.” — Mayor Marcy Teodoro
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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
MARIKINA CITY (SDN) — Four members of the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), including Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro of this city are facing complaints as the May 2025 political exercise is approaching.
The others are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin “Benjie” Magalong; Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Earlier, the M4GG, a movement started by five mayors as the convenors in 2023, now counts 160 mayors as members from different political affiliations — from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — issued a statement of support. They are banded together by one common objective — to embrace and implement good governance.
In connection with this, the mayors’ movement strongly denounced what it described “politically motivated attacks” against many of its members ahead of next year’s elections.
“Ipinapahayag ng Mayors for Good Governance ang buong suporta at tiwala sa ating mga convenor na sina Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, at gayun din kay Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas,” the movement says in support of its members.
(Translation: The Mayors for Good Governance expresses its full support and trust for our convenors Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, and also Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.)
In Teodoro’s situation, the complaint filed against him by a Marikina resident at the Office of the Ombudsman concerned alleged “technical malversation” of funds from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) during the recent coronavirus pandemic that broke out and started in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China.
On Thursday, August 29, Teodoro granted an interview with select members of a journalists’ association that covers Metro Manila’s Eastern section.
As he fielded questions raised by the reporters, the mayor, who is on his third and final term, emphasized that the funds, “based on a last audit is still intact.”
“In fact, it was appropriated through a local ordinance, but we decided on a later time in the exercise of abundance of caution, we did not implement the ordinance,” Teodoro emphasizes, speaking in Filipino language.
“So, the element in the (fund’s) utilization in the case of technical malversation is not attendant or present. Because it can be said that in technical malversation there is the element of utilization of fund.”
The mayor underscored further that it is not a realignment, “this is appropriation through an ordinance because this is existing fund, an income of the city through reimbursement of the PhilHealth.”
A smear campaign, likely politicking…motive is really political because of the timing
Teodoro explained that the city government provided some services like laboratory diagnostic examination of which expenses PhilHealth reimbursed. He said PhilHealth beneficiaries availed themselves of the services and paid by the public insurance agency.
He said that “because it was paid for by PhilHealth, it (fund) became income (of the city) and went to the General Fund.”
“This was during the time of the pandemic, so we are thinking to use it for other services such as on education and street lighting. So, the filing of the case is premature,” the mayor asserts.
Teodoro lamented that in all the many years he has been a mayor, and in his last three-year term, “only now that a case was filed against me.”
“That is why, I see this as a smear campaign and likely politicking. The motive is really political because of the timing; that is why we are hoping that the case would be cleared as soon as possible.”
He said that on a personal level, he felt confident that the case has no merits, and it is not affecting him. “So, I am confident that the case is very weak; so, on that basis we expect the case’s dismissal.”
Teodoro raised two points in the group interview, such as the questionable timing of the filing of the case, especially the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is just a month away; second, the mayor’s camp knows the one who filed the case is also in politics, so the motive is questionable.
“I am surprised because he (the complainant) has no personal knowledge (about the PhilHealth fund). In fact, he is not even affected. He has no direct knowledge and the information in his allegation is still up for verification,” the mayor points out.
He said they are hopeful that with the preliminary investigation the truth will come out that the case has no basis, and the allegation has no merit.
Last week at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila, Baguio City’s chief executive, Magalong, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) general, was at the launch of the Alyansa ng Nagkaka-Isang Mamamayan (ANIM) as one of its stalwarts. ANIM vows to fight corruption, political dynasties, and electoral fraud.
In the course of his presentation at the event, he mentioned a case filed against him. He said that he expects more complaints to be filed against him because of the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the M4GG maintains its support for the four mayors facing complaints.
“We are hopeful that investigation would be fair and, in the end, right and good will prevail. We will continue to stand, fight wrong, and advance what’s good for the Filipinos. (♡)