Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — San Pablo, Laguna Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. filed malversation and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice Mayor Justin Colago over the alleged payment of salaries to around 200 “ghost” employees.Gapangada said Monday the complaint was based on an investigation into alleged payroll irregularities in the Office of the Vice Mayor, where individuals were listed as employees but allegedly did not actually receive their salaries.“Hindi po sila ang tumatanggap ng natural na sweldo na napay ibang tao ang tumatanggap ng sweldo at ito ay ginawa sa pamamagitan ng paglilinlang sa kanila,” Gapangada told reporters.The complaint alleged that Colago certified and signed documents used for the processing and release of wages, including the daily time records (DTRs), accomplishment reports, and corresponding payrolls.Gapangada cited daily time records (DTRs) and accomplishment reports covering Oct. 1 to Dec. 30, 2025, as part of their documentary evidence.He added that some individuals listed as employees denied receiving salaries.“Records will show na nandiyan po sa paymaster… may tumanggap ng pera. Now when you interview the people involved, ay hindi po sila tumanggap… at sila po ay handang magbigay ng mga susumpaang salaysay,” Gapangada said.According to the mayor, some listed workers were reportedly abroad or residing outside Laguna.Gapangada added that most of the alleged ghost workers were hired under job order arrangements and received daily wages at around P600.Colago is also facing complaints for alleged violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority, serious dishonesty, and grave misconduct.ABS-CBN News is reaching out to Colago for a statement.

San Pablo, Laguna Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. filed malversation and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice Mayor Justin Colago over the alleged payment of salaries to around 200 “ghost” employees.

San Pablo, Laguna Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr. filed malversation and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice Mayor Justin Colago over the alleged payment of salaries to around 200 “ghost” employees.

San Pablo, Laguna vice mayor faces malversation, graft raps over 'ghost employees'

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San Pablo, Laguna vice mayor faces malversation, graft raps over 'ghost employees'

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 27, 2026 05:29 PM PHT

Read More:

San Pablo

Laguna

Office of the Ombudsman

graft

malversation

ghost employees

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