CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Occidental Mindoro Lone District Representative Leody “Odie” Tarriela has filed a civil complaint seeking P13 million in damages against broadcaster Radamalyn “Boy Kamandag” Cardoza, accusing him of filing a baseless case before the Office of the Ombudsman earlier this year.
The complaint, filed before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa, stemmed from allegations Cardoza lodged in March 2026 regarding flood control projects in the province, which Tarriela claimed were fabricated and politically motivated.
In a statement, Tarriela said the complaint filed against him was intended solely to harass and discredit him, noting that no substantial evidence had been presented to support the accusations.
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He said he had already obtained clearances from the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) following investigations into the flood control issue. According to the lawmaker, no formal charges were filed against him, and authorities found no basis linking him to any irregularity.
Tarriela also said his name had been removed from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration’s Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO), which had previously restricted his travel.
“I have been cleared by both the DOJ and the ICI, and my lookout order has already been lifted. Not a single case was filed against me because there was never strong evidence to begin with. This action by Cardoza to file what amounts to a fabricated complaint clearly shows his intent—to engage in politics and harass me. He even dragged the DOJ, ICI, and the Ombudsman into this,” Tarriela said.
The congressman emphasized that legal processes should not be abused.
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“This should serve as a reminder to everyone not to misuse our courts or use the law as a tool to destroy another person’s reputation and integrity,” he added.
Despite the issues that hounded him in recent months, Tarriela said he remains focused on his duties as the province’s representative.
“Now that the truth has been made clear, we will continue to prioritize serving the people and addressing the real concerns of Occidental Mindoro—power supply, livelihood, health services, and agriculture,” he said.
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Reached for comment on Monday, Cardoza told the Inquirer in a telephone interview that his lawyer had advised him to refrain from making public statements on the matter while they prepare a counter-affidavit./coa
