Dr. Leilani Lacuna, sister of former Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, filed complaints for graft and other offenses on Tuesday, Dec. 2, before the Office of the Ombudsman against Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, and 13 other city officials in connection with the installation of a new Liga ng mga Barangay president.

Lacuna also charged the respondents with usurpation of authority, grave misconduct, and grave abuse of authority, alleging that her removal and that of several Liga board members were carried out illegally.

She likewise filed a petition before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila seeking to nullify the Liga election held on Nov. 10, 2025, and to regain her post as the city’s ex-officio member of the Manila City Council following what she described as her illegal ouster on Nov. 11, 2025.

“Ito po ay hindi dumaan sa due process. Ako po ay ex-officio ng city council ng Maynila dahil ako po ay lehitimong liga president ng Maynila. Ako po ay tinanggal nila, at ito po ang aking pinapaglaban ngayon,” Lacuna said in a statement.

In a separate address, Lacuna said the cases were filed not for personal or political vendetta but to protect the law and the rights of barangay chairpersons to vote freely and without intimidation.

“Ang laban na ito ay hindi para sa akin lamang—ito ay laban para sa bawat barangay, para sa isang gobyernong tapat, at para sa Maynilang marunong rumespeto sa batas,” she said.

In response, the Manila local government unit (LGU) said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaints but respects the result of the Liga election.

“The City Government of Manila respects the will of 844 out of 896 barangay chairpersons who, among themselves, voted in favor of the new set of officers of the Liga ng mga Barangay. Such participation marks a historic turnout,” the city said in a statement.