“Haan ko nga kanya dagita, in-kayo kitan diay report idiay provincial treasury. Awan ti porsyentok dita” - Gov. Edduba on issues he owns McDonald's and 7-Eleven

Pasil, Kalinga - Speaking at the kick off of his campaign rally in Guina-ang, Pasil last Friday, Kalinga Governor James Sagmayao Edduba addressed allegations that the rental payments of two major businesses established in the province during his term—McDonald's and 7-Eleven—are going to his personal account or that he receives a share from it. 

The Governor said it is not his style to be wasting time on such issues but it is his right to defend himself against baseless accusations that have no proof.

During his talk at the said event on March 28, 2025, Governor Edduba said that McDonald's and 7-Eleven are leasing their operations to the provincial government monthly and that their rents go directly to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, not to his pocket. 

“Daytoy ipabpabasol da nga McDonald’s…Ti McDonald’s, agab-abang da ti provincial government, P200,000 ti abang da per month, ngem deretso diay provincial treasurer ti pagbaybayadan da. Dayta panggep ti 7-Eleven, kasdiay met lang.”  

Although some assert that he gains from these rental fees, Edduba clarified that he is not personally involved in the collection or management of these funds, contrary to what his critics are spreading to the public just to destroy his reputation to benefit some people.  

To prove his transparency, the governor urged the public to verify the records with the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, saying, “Haan ko nga kanya dagita, in-kayo kitan diay report idiay provincial treasury. Awan ti porsyentok dita.” 

The father of the province further stressed that it is not in his nature to tell lies against his political rivals, as it is among the essence of the Kalinga core values—Paniyaw, Ngilin, and Bain. However, his statement, according to him, is just simply to defend himself against false accusations so that the public will not be misled. 

The kick-off of the governor’s campaign rally was participated in by hundreds of residents from Pasil and other municipalities in the province. The reason why Edduba chose Pasil as the venue of his campaign rally is that it is where he was born, and he served as the mayor of the town for three terms. 

Other government officials who were present during the event include Pasil Mayor Chao-ig Malannag, aspiring political candidates in the town, and barangay captains from various barangays in the province, among others.