MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Estacio Maglanque as he faces nearly 194 counts of graft and malversation linked to the multi-million peso Malampaya fund mess.
In a resolution dated January 19, the anti-graft court’s Special Division directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement the suspension immediately.
The Legal Basis
The court cited Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Under this law, any incumbent public officer facing a valid information involving fraud upon government funds must be suspended from office while the case is litigated.
The ruling also pointed to Rule 8, Section 4 of the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan, which reinforces the mandatory nature of such suspensions to prevent officials from influencing witnesses or tampering with records.
Overview of the Charges
The legal battle stems from charges filed in 2017 regarding the alleged misuse of ₱900 million from the Malampaya fund—a pool of royalties intended for energy-related projects.
Maglanque is currently facing a massive legal docket, which includes:
- 97 counts of malversation through falsification of public documents.
- 97 counts of graft (violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
A Decade-Old Case
The Malampaya fund scandal is one of the most significant corruption probes in recent Philippine history. Prosecutors allege that the funds, originally intended for disaster relief and rehabilitation following Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, were diverted to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to Janet Lim-Napoles.
While the charges against Maglanque were filed seven years ago, the court maintains that the preventive suspension is a procedural necessity rather than a penalty, ensuring the integrity of the ongoing trial.
Note on Procedure: A preventive suspension is not a finding of guilt. It is a legal safeguard used to ensure that the accused cannot use their current position to affect the prosecution’s case.
Primary Legal Documents
- Sandiganbayan Special Third Division Resolution (January 19, 2026): The official court order directing the 90-day preventive suspension of Mayor Rene Maglanque.
- Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act): Specifically Section 13, which mandates the suspension of any public official facing valid criminal charges involving government fraud.
- Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan: Specifically Rule 8, Section 4, which outlines the court’s authority and procedure for preventive suspensions.
News Media Citations
- GMA News Online: “Sandiganbayan suspends Candaba mayor over alleged misuse of Malampaya funds” (Published January 22, 2026).
- The Philippine Star (Philstar.com): “Candaba mayor suspended over Malampaya raps” (Published January 23, 2026).
- ABS-CBN News: “Sandiganbayan orders preventive suspension of Candaba, Pampanga mayor over Malampaya fund mess” (Published January 22, 2026).
- SunStar Pampanga: “Candaba mayor suspended over Malampaya fund scam” (Published January 22, 2026).
