29/09/2026
GRAFT COMPLAINT FILED. ⚖️🇵🇭
“Magsasalita ako sa tamang panahon.” — Gov. Sol Aragones
Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones is facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities involving ₱15,500 per beneficiary under the province’s exam-review assistance program.
The controversy includes earlier allegations that beneficiaries were allegedly made to sign documents acknowledging receipt of ₱15,500, although they allegedly received only ₱1,000 in cash. Aragones has disputed this characterization, maintaining that the larger amount was intended to pay for review-center services rather than serve as personal cash assistance.
Laguna Board Members Lorenzo Zuñiga Jr., Karla Adajar and Princess Lajara, together with Calamba City Councilor Niño Lajara, filed the complaint alleging violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complainants allege that beneficiaries were instructed to turn over the ₱15,500 to a private review center. They are asking the Ombudsman to examine whether the arrangement bypassed applicable procurement requirements and whether the provincial government should have procured the review services directly instead of releasing the funds through individual beneficiaries.
Aragones maintains that the ₱15,500 was allocated for review services—not an allowance beneficiaries were supposed to keep—and that the arrangement was explained during an orientation. The program covers examinees preparing for the teachers’ licensure, civil service and criminology examinations.
In her September 28 statement, Aragones said she had not yet received an official copy of the complaint and would issue a complete response after it was reviewed by her legal team. She also characterized the circulation of the complaint before formal receipt as politically motivated and intended to damage her reputation.
The filing of a complaint does not constitute a finding of guilt. The allegations remain subject to evaluation and proceedings before the Office of the Ombudsman.
