The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reaffirmed the disqualification of Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba from the 2022 elections, citing his use of public funds during the campaign period, in violation of election laws.
With just a month left in his current term, Comelec ruled that Vice Governor Melvin Vargas Jr. is to take over. The decision, upheld by the poll body en banc, supports the earlier ruling by its First Division, which found Mamba—along with relatives Mabel and Francisco Mamba—guilty of distributing financial aid, scholarships, and transport services during the 45-day election spending ban.
While the cases against Mabel and Francisco Mamba were dismissed as they did not win their respective races, Manuel Mamba was found in breach of Section 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 10747, which bans public spending during certain pre-election periods.
Comelec emphasized that being an incumbent governor did not give Mamba license to bypass the law. “Public officials are duty-bound to operate within legal boundaries,” the resolution stated.
Despite this, Mamba will assume the post of vice governor starting June 30, after winning the position in the 2025 midterm elections.