Teodoro, other Marikina officials face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and other city officials are facing criminal and administrative complaints over alleged irregularities in procurement transactions during the COVID pandemic.

In a 53-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, businessman Rico Mariano accused Teodoro and his spouse Rep. Marjorie Teodoro of corruption and malversation of public funds.

There was no immediate comment from the Teodoros.

The other respondents are city accountant Erlinda Gonzales, barangay officer Marie Joy San Juan as well as acting city treasurers Miguel Rebanal and Florencia Gamad.

Mariano, whose firm sells office and school supplies, alleged that it was used as a “front supplier” by the Marikina officials between 2020 and 2021 even if the contracts were awarded to other suppliers.

Mariano also filed administrative complaints for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against the respondents.

The complainant claimed that he was made to sign dummy contracts, for which he received payments despite not making any deliveries.

Mariano said checks signed by the mayor as well as Gamad and Rebanal were deposited into his firm’s bank account.

Mariano said he was instructed to withdraw the amount and remit the cash to the local government in exchange for a small kickback.

In 2020, he said he was instructed to issue manager’s checks to “Maan” whom he identified as “congresswoman Teodoro.”

Mariano said his bank records show that he received deposits amounting to P26.75 million from the Marikina government from May 2020 to January 2021.

“I was used as a conduit, funneling city funds directly into their pockets while throwing some peanuts my way,” Mariano said.

He asked the ombudsman to suspend the respondents to prevent them from influencing the case.