COMELEC Disqualifies Vocal Pro-China Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba Over Illegal Use of Election Funds 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division ordered the disqualification of Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba as governor in the province for illegal use of public funds during the May 2022 election period. In a 23-page ruling released on April 24, the commission declared the gubernatorial post in Cagayan vacant, leaving the position open to the vice governor and those in the line of succession. 

According to the case petitioner Victorio Casauay, Mr. Mamba was reportedly disqualified for “[providing] financial aid, scholarship grants, and various transport vehicles to the constituents of the province of Cagayan using public funds,” despite the 45-day spending ban during the election period. In addition, Mr. Casauay said that Mr. Mamba did not report these activities to the Comelec. 

Now-defunct governor Mamba said that his legal team would file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec over his second disqualification case. Mr. Mamba also appealed to the citizens of Cagayan “to be calm and composed,” since he “will remain and continue” in his gubernatorial role until there is a final decision from the commission. Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said that Mr. Mamba could “stay in his post” until the commission issues a final ruling on the governor’s disqualification case. 

Analysts note that this is the second disqualification case against Mamba issued by the election commission. Losing Cagayan gubernatorial candidate Zara de Guzman-Lara first filed a disqualification case against Mr. Mamba in May 2022.  

In December 2022, Comelec disqualified Mamba after it found substantial evidence that Mr. Mamba misused public funds for “massive vote buying” and “unlawful disbursement of public funds” for electoral gains during the campaign period. However, the commission reversed the ruling in March 2023 since “it was filed out of time.”  

Nearly two years later, the Supreme Court reviewed the case in April 2024 and found that Comelec had unfairly dismissed Ms. De Guzman-Lara’s petition. As of this time, Mr. Mamba’s disqualification case had been reviewed by three bodies: Comelec, the Supreme Court, and the House of Representatives.  

In August 2023, the House of Representatives ordered his arrest for failing to explain the absence of provincial hall officials from a hearing. However, Mr. Mamba was released the same day he surrendered, as the Supreme Court intervened to stop the arrest. 

Caught in the Geopolitics? Mamba’s Pro-China Views – Against EDCA Sites, Balikatan 2024 

Some political analysts noted the timing of Mr. Mamba’s disqualification case and how it coincided with the annual Balikatan (“Shoulder to Shoulder”) Joint Military Exercises between the United States (US) and the Philippines, which runs until May 8. PSA notes that Mr. Mamba is known for his views that are perceived to be pro-China and his objection to US-sponsored military facilities under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in Cagayan. The disqualified governor has aired out his sentiments against the US since January 2022 during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.  

Found on the northern coast of Luzon, Cagayan is about 400km south of Taiwan. The province currently hosts two EDCA sites: one in the Camilo Osias Naval Base in Santa Ana municipality, and another in the Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo municipality.  Earlier this month, Cagayan province was involved in a series of probes after an alleged influx of Chinese students into the province’s private universities over the past year.