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Pampanga mayor arrested in entrapment operation for allegedly accepting P80-M bribe

Gracie Rutao

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Intelligence operatives arrested San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. for allegedly accepting bribe money in exchange for a favorable resolution from the local government. </p><p>The complainant Realsteel Corp. alleged that Punsalan demanded an P80-million payoff, with an initial payment of P30 million and the remaining P50 million to be paid in installments.</p><p>Authorities arrested the mayor and his alleged accomplice after they were allegedly caught accepting bribe money at a restaurant in Clark, Angeles, Pampanga on Tuesday afternoon.  </p><p>Punsalan’s security personnel were taken into custody after being found in possession of several firearms and live ammunition, which will undergo verification.</p><p>At around 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, the mayor, his alleged accomplice, and his security personnel were transported to the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Pasay. </p><p>Punsalan and his alleged accomplice will face charges for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. </p><p>Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda expressed disappointment over the incident <span style="background-color:transparent">and urged Punsalan to defend himself from the charges. </span></p><p>ABS-CBN News has reached out to the mayor, but he has yet to respond.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABd0bwWtRUpvSOpK"></script>

<p>Intelligence operatives arrested San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. for allegedly accepting bribe money in exchange for a favorable resolution from the local government.</p>

Intelligence operatives arrested San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. for allegedly accepting bribe money in exchange for a favorable resolution from the local government.

San Simon, Pampanga mayor arrested in entrapment operation for allegedly accepting P80-M bribe

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San Simon, Pampanga mayor arrested in entrapment operation for allegedly accepting P80-M bribe

Gracie Rutao,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 06, 2025 02:11 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 06, 2025 08:20 PM PHT

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ABSnews

ANC Promo

Pampanga

Bribery

Anti-graft

Entrapment operations

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