Ex-Kalinga lawmaker faces graft raps

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December 17, 2025 | 12:00am

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Three graft complaints have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against a former congressman of Kalinga and several officials of the Kalinga State University (KSU) for alleged misuse of public funds and conflict of interest.

The complaints were filed on Dec. 3 by Natividad Bayubay, former Department of Education-Kalinga superintendent, who claimed the respondents committed grave misconduct and dishonesty.

The first complaint questioned the naming of a KSU building after former congressman Jesse Mangaoang despite rules banning naming of public facilities after living people.

Bayubay said the respondents made a publicly funded university building into a political promotion and violated policy that schools should remain apolitical.

The second complaint focused on public works projects implemented in 2021, wherein the Department of Public Works and Highways Kalinga allegedly awarded 14 contracts worth nearly P279 million to BHM Construction owned by Mangaoang’s brother.

Bayubay said Mangaoang allegedly helped approve the budget that funded the same projects.

In the third complaint, Bayubay said Mangaoang helped secure a P14.4-million contract for Saltan River Corp., a firm reportedly owned and controlled by the lawmaker’s family.

Mangaoang denied the allegations, saying he has no pending case before the ombudsman and has not received copies of the complaints.