Angelika Dela Cruz Defends Herself Against Allegations
ANGELIKA DELA CRUZ – The actress-politician has broken her silence after being slapped with multiple complaints, including a plunder case, just as she campaigns for the position of vice mayor in the upcoming elections.
In a Facebook post on April 28, Dela Cruz expressed deep frustration over what she believes to be politically motivated harassment. She wrote, “Grabe tlg ang politics pag hindi nila nakuha ang gusto nila sa siraan next step kakasuhan ka naman nila haayyy baka sa susunod nyan ipapatay nyo ako ah” Her post reflects the emotional toll and disappointment she feels over the situation and the current state of politics in the country.
According to reports, the Office of the Ombudsman has received formal complaints from a concerned voter named Arman Ramos. The complaints accuse Dela Cruz of misusing more than ₱70 million in barangay funds. The charges include plunder, 62 counts of malversation of public funds, 18 counts of failure to submit financial records, illegal use of public funds, and multiple violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Anti-corruption lawyer Atty. Gabriel Ablola confirmed that Dela Cruz is also facing administrative charges for allegedly neglecting her duties. She is accused of frequently being absent from her post without filing a formal leave of absence and of transferring her responsibilities to her brother, Kagawad Erick Dela Cruz, without legal authorization.
Her brother, Erick, is now facing a complaint for grave misconduct. Meanwhile, the barangay treasurer, Earnest Dela Cruz, is also being held accountable for failing to submit proper financial reports and for the illegal use of funds.
The Office of the Ombudsman is currently evaluating the documents and testimonies to determine the validity of the charges. As the legal proceedings unfold, Angelika Dela Cruz remains vocal, maintaining that the allegations are politically driven attempts to derail her candidacy and tarnish her reputation. The case has sparked public interest and concern over the growing challenges faced by local officials, especially those in the public eye.