• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan dismissed yesterday the accusations hurled against her as “politically-motivated”, with the 2025 midterm elections fast approaching.
In a press briefing, Mangilimutan said that she would welcome any case to be filed against her in a proper forum, where she can answer it.
While the mayor brushed aside the below-the-belt attacks against her, Mangilimutan said that her children are the most affected.
“Everything is politically-motivated,” the mayor said, adding that she is aware who are the people behind it.
On July 12, Elvin de la Fuente, who resigned from the La Castellana municipal government in 2019, was reported to have filed a case against Mangilimutan for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Mangilimutan said that she is open to a lifestyle check anytime.
“I am happy if they will bring it to a proper venue so that I can present all the documents to disprove their claims,” said the mayor, who is on her last term as the town chief executive.
Mangilimutan said she believes that village chief Chad Feria of Barangay Robles and expelled councilor Donato Dumaguit were behind De la Fuente in the attacks against her, Councilor Patrick Estoya and the department heads.
Feria and Dumaguit could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Mangilimutan, Estoya and the various department heads of the municipal government said they will file charges against De la Fuente.
“We have to cut their horns,” Mangilimutan said.
She strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying that the accusations against her are being “recycled” during the election period, even starting during the stint of her father, Alberto, as the mayor of La Castellana. | GB
