Cadiao slams graft raps filed vs her
Calls charges filed by radio anchors 'political harassment'
By Tara Yap
CADIAO (Photo by Ron Allen)
ILOILO CITY – Former Antique Gov. Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao cried political harassment after administrative and criminal complaints were filed against her over alleged anomalies in the P531-million Antique Government Center in the capital San Jose de Buenavista.
“They are out again to harass, malign, demean, and destroy my reputation,” said Cadiao in a statement on Friday, March 13.
Cadiao and eight others are facing charges for allegedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday, March 11.
“They have prepared for a media blitz even before we as respondents knew of the filing of the charge,” Cadiao said.
Filed by radio block time anchors Jon Sherwin Pacete and Wilson Geronimo, the complaints alleged that the construction of the government complex that will house the new Provincial Capitol did not undergo proper process.
Among the alleged violations were the lack of clearance for reclassification by the local government of San Jose de Buenavista and no building permit.
Pacete and Geronimo alleged that partial payments have been made to contractor F. Gurrea Construction Inc.
Cadiao said that all matters pertaining to the construction of the new government complex are now under the administration of Gov. Paolo Javier.
She noted that the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) did not flag the construction project when documents were turned over to the Javier administration on June 27, 2025.
The former governor claimed that COA has mandated “to expedite the processing of all permits and clearances” for the construction of the government complex.
“I personally commend the Javier administration, for its earnest and sincere efforts to comply with the COA mandate,” said Cadiao.
“After all, the Antique Government Center or the new Provincial Capitol is for the benefit of all Antiqueños present and future generations,” Cadiao added.