Visayan Daily Star
BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Monday, December 3, 2018

The three projects of EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, that will cost P200 million are starting soon, Mayor Marvin Malacon said Saturday.

The bidding for the P50 million heavy equipment will commence on December 16, followed by the bidding for the renovation and construction of the town market amounting to P140 million, and the P10 million computerization project at the municipal hall, early next year, Malacon said.

The P200 million will be a loan the town has secured from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The LBP loan was initially questioned by Vice Mayor Rob Acaling, who filed charges against Malacon, six members of the Sangguniang Bayan and two department heads, before the Ombudsman.

But after a dialog two months ago, Malacon said that Acaling, who met with him, through Councilor Reylan Gamboa, told him that he had executed an affidavit withdrawing all the complaints against him, as well as the two department heads and six councilors.

Malacon said they were provided by Acaling copy of his affidavits of desistance, signifying his intention that he is no longer interested in pursuing the complaints.

Acaling, who was is the running mate of Malacon during the May 2016 election, is no longer seeking re-election, as vice mayor of EB Magalona

Malacon welcomed the withdrawal of complaints against them by Acaling before the Ombudsman, stressing again that the allegations of corruption against them have no proof, as he linked it to politics.

Board Member David Albert Lacson, who is running against Malacon, his successor as mayor of EB Magalona, said he welcomed the settlement of the complaints, and added that the filing was the initiative of his brother-in-law, Vice Mayor Acaling.

“I have nothing to do with it,” he said.*