Angeles City Vice Mayor Ma. Vicenta “Vicky” Vega-Cabigting and 12 City Councilors have denounced the complaint linking them to alleged ghost employees as baseless political harassment.
The accusation, filed by Pyra Lucas of the United Pilipino Against Crime and Corruption (UPACC), claimed that the failure of 171 Job Order (JO) workers to appear during a Commission on Audit (COA) verification was evidence of misconduct.
However, COA has since certified — in a statement dated March 31, 2025 — that there were no disallowances, suspensions, or charges against any of the officials, effectively refuting the central claim of the complaint.
Cleared along with the vice mayor are Councilors Crystal Dj Aguas, Crisanto G. Cortez, Joseph Alfie T. Bonifacio, Marino D. Banola, Danilo D. Lacson, Jesus S. Sangil, Edgardo D. Pamintuan Jr., Raco Paolo S. Del Rosario, Arvin M. Suller, Alexander P. Indiongco, Jeremias M. Alejandrino, and Arnoah Prince D. Mandani.
COA acknowledged that the JO workers were deployed in fieldwork, including research, barangay programs, and other community services — explaining their absence during the audit team’s verification.
“This is clearly a desperate attempt to tarnish the integrity of public servants who have been faithfully carrying out their duties,” said Vega-Cabigting. “We will not allow baseless accusations to derail our commitment to serve.”
Supporters also slammed the complaint. “Gawa-gawa lang ’yan ng mga kalaban nila na walang magawa kundi manira,” said Russelle Ponce of local group LALAV, calling it a smear campaign from political rivals.
The respondents have filed for the dismissal of the case, citing lack of merit, evidence, and legal standing, as well as the absence of proper authorization from the complainant’s organization. They also opposed any call for preventive suspension.
“This is political noise — nothing more, nothing less,” Vega-Cabigting asserted.
