Ombudsman suspends Laguna town treasurer over unsecured 2022 ballot boxes

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Santa Maria, Laguna Municipal Treasurer Ma. Theresa Lontok for one month and one day without pay for failing to properly secure ballot boxes from the 2022 elections.

The graft-busting body said Lontok failed to exercise due diligence in preserving the integrity and security of unopened ballot boxes in her custody.

The ruling cited House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) inspection records showing that several ballot boxes retrieved from Santa Maria lacked plastic and metal security seals, or were secured only with packaging tape.

Ballots from 16 clustered precincts were deemed of doubtful integrity because of compromised seals and physical anomalies, it said.

The administrative complaint filed on March 4, 2025 by 4th District Rep. Maria Jamina Agarao alleged Lontok and Santa Maria Mayor Ma. Rocelle Valdecantos Carolino of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and serious dishonesty.

Agarao also alleged that the two officials conspired to tamper with ballots.

However, the graft-busting body dismissed all administrative charges against Carolino for lack of sufficient evidence.

“Albeit the ballot boxes were placed inside the Municipal Hall of Santa Maria where she was the Mayor and the protestant is her husband, there was no evidence showing that she committed any acts in connection with the subject ballot boxes or circumstances showing that she conspired with Lontok save for the bare assumptions of complainant,” the ruling read.