BY JEN BAYLON

La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said she will address graft and corruption charges filed against her “in the proper forum.”

In a social media post, Mangilimutan clarified that her silence on the matter does not mean she condones the attacks.

She believes that the allegations are part of “dirty political tactics,” as she has nothing to explain, while only one side of the story is being told.

Elvin dela Fuente, a former employee of the La Castellana municipal government, filed a case against Mangilimutan on July 12 for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Dela Fuente alleged that there were ghost employees in the municipal government.

He said Mangilimutan’s personal staff allegedly received salaries from the local government unit.

Dela Fuente claimed that his own family benefited from the anomaly.

He said he had previously signed a voucher worth P25,000, but only received P5,000 related to the municipal government’s carabao dispersal program.

Dela Fuente, Mangilimutan’s former trusted aide, alleged that 10 other acquaintances were made to sign similar vouchers.

He also requested the Office of the President and the Senate to conduct a lifestyle check on the mayor.

Dela Fuente resigned from his position in 2019.

Meanwhile, Mangilimutan acknowledged that she was not perfect, and the allegations against her are likely motivated by politics.

Mangilimutan has entrusted the matter to God and is confident that truth will prevail.

She denied any wrongdoing, and claimed that the accusations are “recycled.”/JB, WDJ