Over 1,500 Marikina City residents gathered at the Marikina Freedom Park on Wednesday night to hold a prayer vigil in support of embattled Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro, who is facing a six-month preventive suspension from the Office of the Ombudsman.
Carrying placards and a large banner reading “We Stand with Mayor Marcy,” the residents denounced the suspension and expressed their unwavering support for Teodoro.
The group vowed to hold more prayer vigils in the coming days to continue expressing their solidarity, according to a news release from the office of his wife, incumbent Marikina City Rep. Maan Teodoro.
Meanwhile, the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), a group of over 150 local chief executives, called for a fair and transparent hearing process regarding Teodoro’s suspension.
“We urge the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure a just and transparent hearing on the six-month suspension imposed on Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro,” M4GG said in a statement.
The group emphasized that a thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
“We believe this is a crucial step toward determining the truth about the accusations against Mayor Teodoro,” it added.
As an advocate for good governance and anti-corruption efforts, M4GG expressed confidence that justice will prevail.
Teodoro, who serves as one of M4GG’s convenors, described his suspension as “political persecution” aimed at damaging his reputation and undermining his congressional bid in Marikina’s 1st District.
He also questioned the timing of the Ombudsman’s decision, which was released just days before the start of the local election campaign.
Teodoro and other local government officials of Marikina City are facing accusations of misusing public funds.