SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Former mayor Teddy Tumang of Mexico town has denied involvement in the discovery of shabu valued at P3.6 billion in a warehouse in Purok 5, Barangay San Jose Malino on Sept. 27.
Tumang said the allegations against him were politically motivated even as he expressed fears for his life and the safety of his family.
He said he was ”puzzled” that he was summoned to appear before the hearing of the House committee on dangerous drugs on Monday in connection with the drug haul.
Tumang took exception to Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga third district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. for implicating him in the drug bust.
The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Tumang and several other local government officials in August in connection with the alleged anomalous procurement of construction materials.
The ombudsman said it found probable cause to charge Tumang with 64 counts of graft and seven counts of malversation.
Tumang lamented that his political rivals had not stopped attacking him even after he was dismissed as mayor.
”They have dismissed me from the service as mayor. I am just saying I intend to run as congressman, and they haven’t stopped. That’s politics,” he said.