Pampanga mayor charged with graft conflict of interest

MAGALANG, Pampanga , Philippines — Multiple complaints have been filed against the mayor of this town and 10 other officials in connection with the operation of a steel company.

The United Pilipinos Against Crime and Corruption (UPACC) yesterday filed charges of graft and corruption, conflict of interest, abuse of authority, and unexplained wealth against Magalang Mayor Malu Lacson and 10 others.

UPACC chief Pyra Lucas said the complaints were related to the alleged illegal operation of the Chuangxing Steel Corp. in Barangay Navaling.

The company was raided by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in July for allegedly manufacturing substandard construction materials.

Aside from Lacson, named respondents in the complaints were municipal administrator Norman Lacson, environment and natural resources officer Pablo Elmer Mercado, Councilor Ruben Miranda and barangay chairman Juanito Napom as well as Jose Tiburcio Canlas, Inold Cruz, Rizalino Ocampo, Jesus Nathaniell Pili, Eduardo Torno and Odilon Lacson, husband of the mayor.

Lucas said that workers of the steel company sought the help of the UPACC due to alleged maltreatment and violation of their labor rights.

The workers were allegedly hired by the steel company through the Kingsmen Manpower Agency, which is reportedly partly owned by Lacson.

The UPACC said the manpower agency has no permit to hire and deploy workers.

The group urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged illegal reclassification of a property occupied by the Chuangxing Steel.

Lacson said she has yet to receive copies of the complaints and refuted the allegation of conflict of interest.

She said she and her husband have divested all their interests in the manpower agency before she assumed as mayor in May 2022.

Lacson said she would reply to all charges at a proper time and forum.