Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro said on Tuesday, March 25, that he will remain a candidate in the upcoming midterm elections and will not be intimidated by the preventive suspension issued by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) for six months without pay over the alleged misuse of P130-million PhilHealth funds.
The suspension order stemmed from a complaint filed by Sofronio Dulay, who alleged that the city government used PhilHealth funds for non-health purposes, including the purchase of IT equipment, infrastructure repairs, donations, and general supplies.
Also suspended were Vice Mayor Marion Andres, City Treasurer Nerissa San Miguel, City Accountant Erlinda Gonzales, Assistant City Budget Officer Jason Nepomuceno, Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Noralyn Tingcungco, Councilor Angelito Nunez, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod: Joseph Banzon, Donn Carlo Favjs, Loreto Tolentino Jr., Serafin Bernardino, Carl Africa, Cloyd Casimiro, Marife Dayao, Levy de Guzman, Romina de Guzman, Kate de Guzman, Samuel Ferriol, Hilario Punzalan, and Manuel Sarmiento.
“This Office finds sufficient grounds to grant complainants' prayer for the issuance of an Order for Preventive Suspension against respondents. Considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt, the charges against them for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service may warrant their removal from the service,” the order read.
Teodoro believes the preventive suspension is politically motivated and aims to stop his candidacy.
“I strongly believe that the preventive suspension issued against me is politically motivated and part of a broader effort to derail my candidacy in the May 12, 2025 midterm election. I am a casualty of political persecution, plain and simple,” he said.
“In a desperate attempt to besmirch my name, they’ve filed numerous trumped-up charges against me before the Ombudsman, COA, Comelec, Civil Service, and other government agencies,” he added.
The mayor said it “is clearly part of a pattern of political harassment aimed at me,” questioning its timing just days before the start of the official local campaign period on March 28.
“It’s hard not to see this as a calculated political attack meant to damage my name and candidacy and shake the trust we’ve built with our constituents,” he explained.
He suggested that someone may be behind the act, possibly viewing his leadership as a threat.
Teodoro expressed confidence in their strong defense and emphasized that they will prove these allegations are without basis or merit.
“We will face this head-on, with full transparency and accountability. We will continue our fight for good governance, a clean and honest service, and, most importantly, for every resident of Marikina who deserves better,” Teodoro stressed.
Meanwhile, he voiced concern that the six-month suspension of most city officials, including Vice Mayor Marion Andres and over 10 councilors, would leave City Hall largely dysfunctional, hoping it does not disrupt services for residents.
“I urge everybody to remain calm as we will defend not just our name and reputation, but the progress we’ve worked and fought so hard to achieve together. Tuloy ang laban! (The fight continues),” Teodoro stated.
Statement of vice mayor and city councilors
According to Andres and the city councilors, they have not received any official complaint from the OMB.
"What was delivered to us was not a notice, not a charge, but a suspension order from the OMB, without warning or explanation," they explained.
"There was no opportunity for us to respond, no chance to be heard. This raises serious concerns about fairness and due process," they added.
With this, Andres and the city councilors stated that they will exhaust all available legal means to challenge the suspension.