April 24, 2024 - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has disqualified Manuel N. Mamba from the position of Governor of Cagayan province in relation to the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), and declared the office as vacant.
In a decision released on April 24, 2024, the COMELEC First Division disqualified Mamba for violation of Sections 2 and 13 of Resolution No.10747 in relation to Section 261(y) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). This law prohibits electioneering and partisan political activities by public officers and employees, and the solicitation or receipt or expenditure of public funds for any and all kinds of public works during the election period.
However, Mamba may not be held liable for allegedly violating Sec. 7(e) of Resolution No. 10730 since verification thereof is a procedure grounded on pre-proclamation violation under Sec. (a)(1). The source of the election evidence bearing his name and containing Php1,000,000 bill could not be verified, thus his culpability therefore cannot be established.
Victorio Casauay had filed separate Petitions for Disqualification against Manuel Mamba, Mabel Mamba, and Francisco Mamba III as candidates for Governor, Vice-Governor, and Representative of the 3rd District of Cagayan in the 2022 NLE respectively. Casauay alleged that they used public funds in providing financial aid, scholarship grants, and various transport vehicles to their constituents during the 45-day prohibited period in violation of election law and resolutions.
The office of Governor of Cagayan has been declared vacant and will be automatically filled by the Vice-Governor in accordance with the law on succession. Meanwhile, there being no justiciable controversy that remains with respect to Mabel Mamba and Francisco Mamba III who lost their candidacies in the 2022 NLE, the Petitions for Disqualification against them were dismissed.