MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno is facing a graft complaint filed by Leilani Lacuna, sister of former mayor Honey Lacuna, at the Office of the Ombudsman.
The complaint names Moreno and 14 other individuals in connection with the installation of a new Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Barangays) president.
The complaint alleges irregularities in the process of selecting the Liga ng mga Barangay president. Lacuna claims that the selection process was manipulated to favor a candidate aligned with Moreno, thereby undermining the autonomy of the barangay organization.
“The complaint details specific instances where Moreno and his co-respondents allegedly abused their positions to influence the outcome of the election,” said Atty. Ricardo Perez, Lacuna’s legal counsel. “We believe that this constitutes a clear violation of anti-graft laws.”
The Liga ng mga Barangay plays a crucial role in local governance, serving as a platform for barangay leaders to voice their concerns and participate in policy-making. The president of the Liga ng mga Barangay represents the organization in the city council and other important bodies.
Moreno has yet to issue an official statement regarding the complaint. However, sources close to the mayor have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
The Ombudsman is expected to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is sufficient basis to proceed with a formal investigation.
