Sabuga-a: Klarex Linked To Massive Cash Advances For Alleged Vote-buying For Son Kikang Uy's Barangay Election Bid

By Mona Lagbas

MAY 5, 2025, Cagayan de Oro City _Former City Social Welfare Officer Teddy Sabuga-a Monday called on the Commission on Audit, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and anti-corruption bodies to initiate urgent and thorough investigations on incumbent Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy's link to the alleged massive fund releases from City Hall that may have included alleged vote-buying for Uy's son's barangay election bid in 2023.

Sabuga-a disclosed that records reveal that Mayor Uy personally received P649 million in cash advances from 2022 to 2025 and that the total exposed cash advances during the Uy administration has reached nearly P1 billion. He said that there is a dubious pattern of disbursements totalling P208.7 million from July to October 2023, a time frame that Sabuga-a implies closely coincides with the barangay elections. He added that his sources allege that public funds were used to buy votes at P6,000.00 per voter to support Mayor Uy's son, Kikang Uy, in his barangay candidacy.

Sabuga-a further said that these revelations raise serious questions about the abuse of public resources, possible violations of election and anti-graft laws, and the erosion of public trust in local governance.He added that the use of funds from the city's coffers to finance electoral gains for political dynasties is not only illegal but also a betrayal of the people's mandate.

"What is alarming is that this pattern of fund misuse during the 2023 barangay elections could be a rehearsal for even more massive vote-buying and fund manipulation in the upcoming city-wide polls. Unless checked, the same machinery of corruption may once again be weaponized to distort the will of the people and undermine democracy in Cagayan de Oro", bewailed Sabuga-a, a close political ally of former mayor Oscar Moreno who is eyeing a comeback to City Hall.

"The people of Cagayan de Oro deserve justice, accountability, and leaders who respect the rule of law," stressed Sabuga-a.