“Faces Suspension as Disqualification Loom”
MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA — Mayor Crisostomo “Cris” Garbo of Mabalacat City is embroiled in a series of legal battles that could jeopardize his position and political future. The Pampanga mayor faces allegations of abuse of authority, grave misconduct, and dishonesty linked to a land purchase deal, as well as a separate petition that questions his eligibility to seek another term.
The most prominent issue stems from a P610 million transaction to purchase a 21,115-square-meter plot from Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), earmarked as the future site of the Mabalacat Government Center. Faustino Buenaventura, a local businessman, recently lodged a complaint against Garbo with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, alleging multiple irregularities in how the land deal was managed.
Central to Buenaventura’s case is the accusation that Garbo initiated financial transactions for the property ahead of the formal contract signing. On March 15, 2023, Garbo signed a Contract of Absolute Sale and Deed of Absolute Sale for the property at a total cost of P591.2 million, which includes a base price of P527.9 million and P63.3 million in Value Added Tax (VAT). However, Buenaventura contends that a check payment was issued on March 14 — a day before the signing — suggesting potential pre-authorization or other procedural violations in processing the transaction.
Buenaventura also highlights a P5.3 million payment made on the same date to Mabalacat City’s legal officer, Atty. Francis Dimaliwat, for notarizing the contract. He asserts that the payment constitutes misuse of city funds, as notarization of government contracts falls under Dimaliwat’s official responsibilities as the chief legal officer. Buenaventura’s complaint argues that the expense was unnecessary and signals an abuse of power within the administration.
Alongside the controversy over the land transaction, Garbo is confronting a disqualification case questioning his eligibility to run for office in 2025. Rizaldo Garcia, a former barangay captain from Sapang Biabas, filed a petition with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on October 16, seeking to block Garbo’s candidacy on the grounds that he has exceeded his three-term limit. The case, filed under SPA 24-073, argues that Garbo’s previous service in three consecutive terms since 2016 disqualifies him from further terms as mayor.
Garbo’s tenure began when he was appointed to the mayor’s office in 2016 after the disqualification of then-Mayor Marino Morales by the Comelec and the Supreme Court. Garbo was subsequently re-elected in 2019 and 2022, completing what Garcia’s petition contends are three full terms, thereby barring him from another election in accordance with Philippine law.
The Comelec has indicated that it aims to resolve all disqualification cases, including Garbo’s, before the ballot printing deadline for the 2025 midterm elections.
The suspension and disqualification cases have cast a shadow over Garbo’s administration, raising questions about governance and transparency in Mabalacat City. These proceedings could reshape the city’s political dynamics, with the potential to impact local leadership and public confidence in the months leading to the 2025 election.