Following the suspension of San Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. by the provincial government in June, ordered by Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, all eyes are now on Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo, as a formal complaint was filed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on October 10.
Punsalan has been suspended by the provincial government at least four times during his two terms, primarily due to a questionable land purchase in 2020.
As headlined in this week’s issue, Garbo is facing a complaint filed by Faustino Buenaventura, a resident of Barangay Paralayunan.
Like Garbo, Punsalan was once part of the Kambilan party, the local political alliance led by Pineda.
The complaint is centered on the transaction of the P610-million loan from Landbank which was used to acquire a 2.11 hectares property intended for the new Mabalacat City Government Center.
The new government center will house the city hall and other essential government agencies for easy access to vital services in a centralized location. The Mabalacat City hall is currently located in Xevera Complex in Barangay Tabun. It was inaugurated in 2009. Mabalacat City also has an extension office inside Clark Freeport Zone.
In January, Councilor Jun Castro filed a complaint of alleged grave misconduct and graft and corruption against Garbo and 12 other local officials before the Office of the Ombudsman, related to the acquisition of land and the construction of the government center project.
Garbo filed his certificate of candidacy for another term. However, he may also face disqualification due to technicality as he is currently serving his “third term” by winning in the 2022 elections. Garbo first served as mayor of the component city in July 2016 that ended the 22-year term of Boking Morales when Comelec ruled with finality to cancel the latter’s COC in August 2016.
Castro is running for vice mayor alongside incumbent Vice Mayor Geld Aquino, who is campaigning for mayor. With all eyes now on Garbo, investigations may unfold, and the implications could be significant. Such is the state of politics in Mabalacat. So, don’t blink.