Sandiganbayan Orders 90-Day Preventive Suspension for Candaba Mayor in Malampaya Fund Scandal
The Sandiganbayan has issued a decisive order for a 90-day preventive suspension against Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque, following allegations of his involvement in the high-profile P900 million Malampaya Fund scam. This suspension, mandated by the Sandiganbayan Special Third Division in a resolution dated January 19, 2026, requires Mayor Maglanque to immediately cease all official duties as the chief executive of the fourth district town.
Details of the Suspension Order and Legal Charges
In its resolution, the Sandiganbayan explicitly directed Mayor Maglanque to "cease and desist" from performing any functions, duties, or privileges associated with his position. The suspension is set to be automatically lifted after the 90-day period expires from the implementation date. The mayor faces a total of 194 counts of legal violations, including:
- 97 counts of violation of RA 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
- 97 counts of Malversation of Public Funds.
These charges stem from allegations that funds intended for victims of the 2009 Luzon floods were improperly diverted to ghost livelihood projects, highlighting a severe misuse of public resources.
Background and Implementation of the Suspension
The suspension order comes after Mayor Maglanque allegedly failed to comply with a previous court directive issued in October 2025, which gave him a 10-day window to justify why he should not be suspended. The Sandiganbayan has tasked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with enforcing this 90-day suspension, ensuring that the legal process is carried out effectively.
Efforts by SunStar Pampanga to obtain comments from Mayor Maglanque regarding the suspension have been unsuccessful, as he has not responded to inquiries. This case underscores ongoing efforts to address corruption and uphold accountability in local governance, particularly in relation to significant public fund scandals like the Malampaya Fund issue.
