Orihuela PP has disclosed the slate it will field in the municipal elections scheduled for 28 May. At the top is José Vegara, who is facing scrutiny after news broke that he had an open case in the Orihuela courts regarding two tax-related offenses. Both the Prosecutor’s Office and the Treasury have filed indictments and are seeking seven years in prison along with oral proceedings for those alleged to have been defrauded of more than five million euros.
Orihuela PP candidate under investigation for two alleged tax charges
In addition, a criminal court in Orihuela has ordered an oral action against Vegara, a focal figure for the party as it positions its candidates for the elections. The party emphasizes its commitment to transparency, even as it faces questions about the involvement of public figures in ongoing legal matters.
Verbally sued Orihuela José Vegara’s PP candidate for tax offense and document forgery
Vegara has stated that individuals accused of wrongdoing for their public service should be dismissed, while arguing that someone linked to events from years ago should not automatically be deemed responsible for today’s administration. He asserted that no crime should be presumed against him, noting that a case from 2015 has not reappeared on the political agenda and that, in his view, he bears no personal criminal record. He explained that an employee involved in a past management issue was terminated and that the company later faced Treasury scrutiny. Vegara also insisted that he cannot be considered tied to that case through any signatures or documents.
He added that the case was archived in 2015, then reopened, and that his legal team informed him recently about developments. He emphasized that the matter predates his current role and insisted that he has not been involved in any wrongdoing during his time in public life.
renewed faces
Vegara described a list aimed at governing and transforming Orihuela. The lineup includes Agustina Rodríguez Navarro, Víctor Valverde Sáez from the previous government team and the current City Councilor, Matías Ruiz Peñalver, Rocío Ortuño Cartagena, and Mónica Pastor Felices.
In seventh place appears independent Vicente Pina López. As previously reported, Antonio Cerdán of the Claro party is listed at number 14. Claro recently split from Cambiemos after backing a no-confidence motion that removed the PP from power in April of the previous year and elevated socialist Carolina Gracia to the mayoralty.
Claro announced it would join forces with the PP in an extraordinary assembly last Thursday, stating that the PP has secured a councilor with authority, a budget, and a team ready to govern Sahil if elected. Claro said it would provide representation in the council, reinforcing the partnership, according to party statements.
Since its founding 17 years ago, Orihuela has defended Costa’s historic claims and has competed in four consecutive elections, twice on its own and twice alongside another party. The alliance carried the coastal majority with roughly a thousand votes on average each cycle.
In 2019, the coalition accomplished more than PP and Ciudadanos in electoral impact. The party aimed to win the first councilor with around 1,500 votes but finished just over 1,400, then about 960 in 2015, totaling around 5% of the municipality’s vote across all provinces and districts in 2019.
Here is the current candidate slate:
1.- Jose Vegara Dura
2.- Agustina Rodriguez Navarro
3.- Victor Valverde Saez
4.- Matias Ruiz Penalver
5.- Rocío Ortuño Cartagena
6.- Monica Pastor Happy
7.- Vicente Pina López – INDEPENDENT
8.- Victor Manuel Sigüenza Riqulme
9.- Noelia Grao López
10.- Irene Celdran Ruiz
11.- Raúl Fernandez Campillo
12.- Maria Pilar Fabregat Baeza
13.- Pablo Lorenzo Bregante
14.- Antonio Cerdán Erades – INDEPENDENT
15.- Nuria Masip Rubio
16.- Clemente Martínez Pardo
17.- Blanca Angel Lucas
18.- Sonia Huertas Roca
19.- Carlos Rocamora Belmonte
20.- Andrei Donate Abellan
21.- Pablo Onate Gil
22.- Maria Veronica Soto Sarabia
23.- Quentin Ghislain Botelberge
24.- José Manuel Simon Vegara
25.- Marina Pintado Garcia
Substitute 1.- José Manuel Pastor Navarro
Substitute 2.- Tsanislava Stanislavova Hristova
Substitute 3.- Manuel Garcia Andrés