Sandiganbayan suspends Candaba mayor over alleged misuse of Malampaya funds

The Sandiganbayan has suspended Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Estacio Maglanque for 90 days amid the 97 counts of malversation and 97 counts of graft charges he is facing in connection with the alleged misuse of P900 million worth of Malampaya funds.

In a January 19 resolution, the anti-graft court said that Maglanque’s suspension is provided under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Rule 8, Section 4 of the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan.

"It is worth stressing that preventive suspension has a twofold purpose: to prevent the accused from hampering his prosecution; and to prevent the accused from committing further malfeasance in office. These objectives further reinforce the principle that public office is a public trust," it said.

"Considering that Maglanque is charged with offenses that clearly fall under Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, his preventive suspension is therefore justified," the Sandiganbayan said.

It further said that Maglanque was given a chance to explain why he should not be placed under preventive suspension but the mayor did not offer any rebuttal.

“The records show that despite counsel for Maglanque's receipt of the court's Resolution on October 15, 2025, he nevertheless failed to submit the required compliance,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The court resolution also stated that Maglanque's suspension will be automatically lifted upon the expiration of the 90-day period.

Information filed before the Sandiganbayan showed that Maglanque allegedly committed the crimes when he was still a private citizen. 

The cases in connection with alleged misuse of the P900-million Malamapaya fund were filed in 2017. 

The P900-million Malampaya fund, the government revenues from the Camago-Malampaya Reservoir service contract, was meant for relief operations and rehabilitation of areas affected by Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng between 2009 to 2010. —AOL, GMA Integrated News