Mandaue City Mayor Prepared to Address Graft Complaint Before Ombudsman
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano has declared his readiness to confront a formal complaint lodged against him at the Office of the Ombudsman, characterizing the allegations as an inherent risk of public service that will be resolved through appropriate legal avenues. The mayor's statement came on Friday, January 23, 2026, following the filing of the complaint by local resident Edward Ligas.
Details of the Anti-Graft Allegations
The complaint targets Mayor Ouano and Compostela barangay councilor Ian Negrido Arioja, accusing them of violations under Republic Act 3019, commonly known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Specific allegations include unlawful appointment and grave misconduct, with Ligas further claiming that Arioja and another councilor, Renee Lyn De Guzman of Barangay Cogon, were improperly receiving salaries from the Mandaue City government. Ligas has also requested the preventive suspension of Mayor Ouano pending the Ombudsman's investigation.
Mayor Ouano's Initial Response and Legal Strategy
In his initial remarks, Mayor Ouano emphasized that he cannot yet comment on the substantive merits of the case, as he has not received an official copy of the complaint. He stated that the matter will be immediately referred to his legal team for thorough review and preparation of a formal response.
"We cannot comment on the merits yet because we have not received an official copy of the complaint," Ouano explained. "I will refer this matter to my legal team. I am confident that we have not violated any law or regulation. Based on the advice of the city legal office, there is no employee-employer relationship under a Contract of Service arrangement, among other legal arguments."
The mayor expressed strong confidence that the city government operated within legal boundaries and that all allegations can be effectively addressed before the proper judicial bodies, including the Ombudsman.
Viewing Complaints as Part of Public Service
Mayor Ouano framed the filing of such complaints as an expected aspect of holding public office, describing it as a "professional hazard" of his commitment to serve Mandaue City. "This is part of the professional hazard of my desire to serve Mandaue City to the best of my ability," he noted. "As public servants, we expect that cases may be filed against us, and we are ready to respond to them through the proper legal processes."
He revealed that the complainant, Edward Ligas, is not unknown to him, pointing out that Ligas had previously filed a case involving his sister, Congresswoman Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon. Ouano added that his team had been anticipating such a complaint, with discussions about a potential filing occurring as early as last year.
"We were already informed that someone might file a case, and this had even been discussed last year regarding a possible filing with the Office of the Ombudsman," the mayor stated. "This was expected, and we will simply answer it through our legal team and before the proper court once the complaint reaches us."
Clarification on Employment Relationships
Addressing the core allegations, Mayor Ouano reiterated that the individuals in question were engaged as consultants rather than regular employees, thereby negating any employer-employee relationship. "There is no employer-employee relationship because they are consultants," he asserted, while confirming that he will consult extensively with his legal team before making any definitive decisions or public statements on the matter.
Focus on Governance Amid Political Noise
Despite the complaint, Mayor Ouano affirmed his continued focus on his official duties, vowing not to be distracted by what he termed premature political noise. "While there may be those who cannot move on or wait for the 2028 elections, I choose to focus on my work and ignore the early noise," he remarked.
He acknowledged Ligas's right to file the complaint, stating, "That is his right. We will simply respond properly and confidently to all the allegations."
Pending Ombudsman Action
As of now, the Office of the Ombudsman in Central Visayas has not issued an official statement regarding the complaint, leaving the next steps in the investigative process awaiting formal initiation.
