TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 in Batac City, Ilocos Norte has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of Cagayan Vice Governor Manuel Mamba after denying his motion to quash the graft charge filed against him.
In a five-page order dated July 28, 2026, Presiding Judge Felix G. Salvador granted the prosecution's motion to suspend Mamba pendente lite while his trial for the alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, is pending.
The court ruled that the preventive suspension is warranted under Section 13 of RA 3019, which mandates the suspension of a public official facing a valid graft case while the criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Court found probable cause
The RTC noted that it had earlier found probable cause to proceed with the case.
In its March 26, 2026 order, the court said it reviewed the information filed by the prosecution, together with the supporting documents, and found sufficient basis to hold Mamba for trial, prompting the issuance of a warrant of arrest.
"By order dated March 26, 2026, upon perusal of the information filed against the accused, including the documents accompanying the same, the Court found probable cause that he committed the crime charged... Hence, a warrant of arrest was issued against him," the order stated.
Mamba posted bail
According to the court, Mamba posted a cash bond on March 30, 2026, before the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Piat-Sto. Niño, Cagayan, allowing his temporary release.
On April 21, 2026, the prosecution filed a motion seeking Mamba's preventive suspension while the case is pending, arguing that the suspension is mandatory once a valid information has been filed and the accused has been ordered arrested.
Mamba, meanwhile, filed a Motion to Quash Information, asking the court to dismiss the case.
In its July 28 order, the RTC denied Mamba's motion and granted the prosecution's request for preventive suspension.
"The accused's Motion to Quash Information... is denied. The prosecution's Motion to Suspend the Accused Pendente Lite is granted. The accused is hereby preventively suspended from holding public office for a period of ninety (90) days," the court ordered.
Vice Governor's office cites available legal remedies
In a statement issued after the order, the Office of the Vice Governor said Mamba remains the province's vice governor and that, as of August 3, it had not yet received an official copy of the court order.
The office said Mamba still has legal remedies available, including the filing of an appeal once the order is officially served.
It also traced the case to a complaint filed by JLL Pulsar Construction, which it said arose during Mamba's tenure as governor.
According to the statement, Mamba had implemented a policy requiring contractors whose projects were found by the Capitol's inspectorate team to have substandard workmanship to personally receive payment checks from the governor's office.
The office maintained that the policy was intended to protect public funds and ensure that government infrastructure projects met quality standards. It added that while JLL Pulsar Construction filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, no public funds were lost.
The Vice Governor's office said Mamba respects the judicial process and will pursue all available legal remedies.
"Kaugnay nito, buo ang paggalang ni Bise Gobernador Mamba sa proseso ng hukuman at gagawin nito ang lahat ng legal na hakbangin para maipagtanggol ang katotohanan," the statement read.
It added that Mamba remains committed to what it described as responsible and transparent governance while continuing to serve the people of Cagayan.
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