San Pablo mayor files raps vs vice mayor over 'ghost employees'

San Pablo City, Laguna Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. on Monday filed complaints for malversation of public funds, graft, and other charges against Vice Mayor Justin Colago over the alleged payment of 200 “ghost employees” under the vice mayor’s office.

In an interview with reporters after filing the complaints, Gapangada said the alleged ghost employees were listed under job order contracts and were paid P600 a day from October to December 2025.

“Records will show that there are people who were paid [for job order positions], but when we interviewed them, we learned that they did not receive such payment," he said.

"They are willing to execute sworn affidavits stating they did not receive the money,” the mayor added.

Gapangada said the alleged anomalies involved possible identity misuse and questioned the legitimacy of the listed workers under the vice mayor’s office.

“Lumalabas na ninakaw ang kanilang pagkatao. Nakakagulat. Someone abroad is receiving salary, and there are also individuals from Bicol and others who are not from San Pablo," he said.

(It appears their identities were stolen. It is shocking. Someone abroad is receiving a salary, and there are also individuals from Bicol and others who are not from San Pablo.)

"This will point to the Office of the Vice Mayor. Mga tao niya po ito na may kinalaman sa ghost employees (These are his people linked to the ghost employees),” Gapangada added.

The mayor also said the daily time records, personal data sheets, and signatures of the alleged employees under the vice mayor’s office do not match.

“Since I assumed office last July 1, 2025, we have been looking into this. We are not making these allegations on a whim. We exercised due diligence in getting to the truth,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Colago’s office for comment and will publish it once available.—MCG, GMA News