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The Philippines
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Pro-China Philippine governor, Manuel Mamba, who opposes US drills, removed from office for illegal use of election funds

  • The Commission on Elections disqualified Manuel Mamba from serving his third term as governor of Cagayan province for illegally using public funds
  • The pro-China Mamba was tossed out of office just as joint military drills with Washington take place in his province

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Manuel Mamba has been removed as governor of the province of Cagayan. Photo: Provincial Government of Cagayan
Alan Robles
A provincial governor in the Philippines known for his pro-China views and opposition to cooperation with the US has been summarily tossed out of office, due to illegal use of funds during an election, just as joint military exercises involving Manila and Washington take place in his province.
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday it had disqualified Manuel Mamba from serving his third term as governor of Cagayan province for illegally using public funds during the 2022 election period.

The same allegations had led Comelec’s Second Division to disqualify Mamba in December 2022. That decision was later overturned by a full meeting (en banc) of the commission due to technicalities related to the filing of the petition.

However, on April 16, the Supreme Court ruled the petition was filed on time and directed Comelec to once again address the matter. Eight days later, the commission ruled he was disqualified, and declared his position vacant.

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