Negros Weekly Posted on: August 1, 2024

E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said he considers the dismissal of the P6.9-million graft cases filed against him and 18 others, after six years of legal battle, as the “best gift” for his 51st birthday on Aug. 6.

E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon

“It will be best birthday gift ever. I wish no more on my birthday,” he added.

In a statement, he said: “The Ombudsman’s decision, exonerating me and my 18 co-accused from trumped up charges is beyond enough to thank God and to celebrate.”

Malacon faced 31 counts of graft filed against him in the past several years, which were all dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for lack of probable cause.

He admitted that six years of battling false accusations, fueled by plain innuendo, is tiresome.

“But I never gave up. Not just for myself, but for my family’s and co-accused’s sake,” Malacon said.

“The Ombudsman’s decision is like a beacon from afar that will guide Saraviahanons to what is really true. They accused us. They tainted our names, integrity and credibility yet, they failed to smash us. Truth prevailed and we triumphed over politically-motivated harassment,” he added.

His co-accused also cleared by the anti-graft agency included Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and five councilors, Reylan Gamboa, Joey Pugales, Isidro Gomed, Gelita Parcon and Jovie Madayag.

Others were department heads Riza Diaz (municipal treasurer), Jessilyn Plaza (ex-municipal budget officer) and Debbie Ann Monte (ex-executive assistant, now budget officer) were also implicated.

Also included were nine village chiefs, including Leah Beri (Tanza), Rio Jemilla (Consing) Sharen Patoc-Belen (Pasil), Larry Jayona (Gahit), Ronnie Loro (San Isidro), Merian Porras (Canlusong), Ronaldo Olano (Cudangdang), Ma. Fe Monarca (Damgo) and the late Allan Matapaja (Alicante).

Jayona, Loro, Porras, Olano and Monarca are already former barangay captains.

Former E.B. Magalona Vice Mayor Robert Acaling acted as the complainant.

He accused Malacon and 18 others allegedly for violating Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (illegal use of public funds and properties) and RA 6713 (dishonesty, grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct).

Charges stemmed from the controversial P6.9 million fund aid given to 23 villages in the town at P300,000 each in April 2018, a month before the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The fact is, such fund aid was used for barangay road rehabilitation, flood control and reforestation.

In a 14-page decision, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the dismissal of the charges for two valid grounds – lack of probable cause and lack of substantial evidence.

It was made public by the respondents in a press briefing held at the Asenso Hall in E.B. Magalona on July 29.

“I wish that the Ombudsman’s decision will enlighten all Saraviahanons that we never erred in spending government’s money. Every single centavo from our town’s coffer is well-accounted for and, that, we never engaged in any act constituting graft and corruption,” Malacon said. ||