Faustino Buenaventura, a resident of Barangay Paralayunan, has lodged a complaint against Mayor Cris Garbo, who is serving his final term, accusing him of Abuse of Authority, Grave Misconduct, and Dishonesty. The complaint, filed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, centers on a P610-million Landbank loan used to acquire a 21,115-square meter property from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company, intended for a new Mabalacat City Government Center.
The dispute stems from the transaction process. On March 15, 2023, Garbo signed the Contract of Absolute Sale and Deed of Absolute Sale for the P591,209,500 property, with a base price of P527,875,000 and a 12% VAT of P63,334,500. However, Buenaventura alleges that the check payment was issued on March 14, a day prior to the official contract signing.
Further, Buenaventura claims Garbo improperly authorized the city government to cover P29,393,750 in VAT, a responsibility that, according to the complaint, should have been fulfilled by the seller, PLDT, to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Additionally, Buenaventura alleges Garbo approved a P5,352,271 notarial fee to City Legal Officer Atty. Francis Dimaliwat on the same day. The complaint argues that both Garbo and Dimaliwat understood this payment was unwarranted, as notarizing government contracts is already part of Dimaliwat’s responsibilities.
The complaint requests that the Provincial Governor impose a preventive suspension on Garbo. Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Vice Chairman of the Committee on Justice, Good Governance, and Public Accountability, Atty. Ananias Canlas Jr., has ordered Garbo to respond within 15 days of receipt of the complaint.
