CEBU, Philippines — Former Cebu City councilor Nin?a Mabatid and former Department of Energy Visayas director and now Samboan mayoralty aspirant Russ Mark Gamallo yesterday denied the allegations of illegal recruitment and estafa thrown at them, with Mabatid saying, “it’s all about politics.”
“I am not a criminal. I am not a scammer.I have never engaged in any illegal activities for 24 years in the industry,” Mabatid in an official statement posted on her verified Facebook.
Mabatid is seeking a political comeback by running for the same position in the 2025 elections, three years after losing in the race for Cebu City north district congressional seat in 2022.
Yesterday, she said that all cases filed against her in the past were all politically motivated and were all thrown out of the court.
Last month, an article posted via The Sun-Hongkong’s website reported that “the Philippine Justice Department has filed large-scale illegal recruitment and estafa charges against Cebu-based recruiters led by former Cebu City councilor Prisca Nin?a Mabatid, for allegedly offering jobs to Canada in the guise of student visas, to 11 complainants.”
Aside from Mabatid, the others who were allegedly charged also are Gamallo, a certain Clark M. Jueco, Vincent Adam Hechanova, Clint Victor A. Caingles, and Noverna “Bernie” S. Uy
The report stated that “they were all indicted for allegedly using Opportunities Abroad Visa Processing Services Inc., a company not licensed with the Department of Migrant Workers, to promise jobs in Canada to the complainants in the guise of student visas.”
The complainants accordingly were told to pay at least P104,000 ($1,700) each and cannot claim any refund, based on the agreement they were made to sign.
In a separate post, Mabatid doubted the credibility of the news outlet, which claims to be Hongkong’s number one Filipino newspaper and founded in 1995 by Filipinos.
“The Sun Hongkong is not a reliable media page, notorious for extorting money by targeting the administration and individuals. Since 2023, this page has persistently spread falsehoods about me and others,” Mabatid said.
She said they are actively addressing the defamation against them and that the editor, identified as Catherine Daisy Mandap, is allegedly currently facing charges of cyber libel, with three warrants issued already due to her false claims.
"Though she secured a temporary dismissal, it's not over....We've filed a motion to reinstate the warrants and initiated 56 cases against Cather Daisy Mandap. The battle continues, and I will fight tirelessly for justice. ..I refuse to let anyone so malicious succeed. I'm unafraid and committed to ensuring accountability for your actions DAISY MANDAP!” Mabatid said in her post.
She said, though that the latest issue hurled at her is nothing new.
“In fact it is so normal. I am numb, and not worried at all. Controversy is my breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's even my vitamins. It keeps me stronger,” the feisty Mabatid added, while challenging her detractors to file more cases.
In a Facebook (FB) Live Thursday night, while she was on way home to Cebu , she she said she has a license with Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and has enough money she that does not need to resort to illegal acts.
“For many years wa koy kaso..Karon na nuon nga I don’t need money anymore? I have a very good life…Wa gani ko nangawat sa City Hall..If ever naa gani (allegations), sabta na lang na ninyo…it’s all about politics,” Mabatid said,
“Sara Duterte-limpyo unta…,Harry Roque... Naunsa naman ron’s mayor Mike Rama? Giguba kay ni-align siya ni Duterte. Ako, pro-Duterte and -BBM,” she added.
She said someone is orchestrating all these but declined to name names.
“There’s someone behind it…. Nidaghan na among kontra…. It could be the mayor of Samboan,” she said, while adding that she and Gamallo are not afraid of anything.
“We are not scammers, we are not illegalists..all the more, wa mi nangwarta,” she said of Gamallo and her.
Gamallo, who was with Mabatid during her FB live, did not address the issue and simply told Samboan residents to continue their fight in their town.
“Shoutout sa mga taga Samboan, kumbati ha, sukol ta, padayon ta sa atong pinakigbisog diha,” he said.
Gamallo is challenging incumbent Mayor Emerito Emmanuel Calderon in next year’s elections. (CEBU NEWS)