MANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday lodged at the Office of the Ombudsman complaints against 44 mayors in connection with the performance of anti-drug abuse councils (ADAC) in their areas.

Of the total, 35 mayors have "unorganized" ADACS, while 9 have councils with "low functionality," said Interior Assistant Secretary RJ Echeverri.

The latest batch of complaints brings to 86 the total number of local officials who face complaints over the poor performance of their anti-drug councils.

The interior department eyes filing complaints over some 600 other officials, Echeverri said.

He also denied that politics motivated the filing of the latest cases, which come less than 2 months ahead of the May 13 elections.

-- Report from Raya Capulong, ABS-CBN News