DILG: 158 poll-related complaints filed with Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 158 complaints related to vote buying, vote selling and misuse of government resources during the campaign period have been lodged before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government reported.

DILG Assistant Secretary Jesi Lanete said 16 of the complaints involve the distribution of financial aid or ayuda – an act presumed to be vote buying under Section 33 of Comelec Resolution 11104, which prohibits candidates, their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or known supporters from distributing aid during the election period.

Lanete urged all candidates to avoid engaging in vote buying, vote selling and the misuse of government resources, cautioning that such violations could lead to disqualification.

The highest number of complaints came from Region IV-A with 31 cases, followed by Region III with 30 and the National Capital Region with 24.

Comelec has since issued show-cause orders to 29 local candidates, requiring them to respond to complaints filed against them.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier expressed the department’s full support for the Comelec’s intensified “Kontra Bigay” campaign.

He also called for a complementary “Kontra Tanggap” initiative to address the issue from both the giver and recipient of vote buying.

Lanete reiterated that voters themselves might also face criminal charges under the Omnibus Election Code for accepting money or favors in exchange for their votes.

“We would like to remind our candidates to strictly comply with the Comelec provisions against vote buying and for our incumbent candidates to avoid the abuse of state resources,” Lanete said.

Comelec summons Lacuna

After her two main rivals were issued show-cause orders, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) also summoned reelectionist Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan over accusations of vote buying.

Along with 18 other candidates, she was accused of vote buying and abuse of state resources, according to a memorandum issued by the poll body’s Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) vice chairperson Teofisto Elnas Jr.

In response, Lacuna-Pangan said in her statement she would “comply with the order as soon as we receive a copy, because we believe in due process.”

“The Comelec is rightfully and properly giving us the opportunity to respond to dispute and debunk whatever was put forward. We are ready to disprove and debunk,” she added.

Previously, the Comelec flagged former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Tutok to Win party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa, both Lacuna-Pangan’s closest opponents, for vote buying.

In Marikina, mayoralty candidate Stella Quimbo and her husband Romero, who is running for a seat in the House of Representatives, denied allegations of vote buying to gain advantage in the midterm elections.

“We do not buy votes. The votes of Marikina residents are sacred,” the couple said in a joint statement on Friday.

They said it would be a disrespect to the intelligence of voters in the city if they are offered money in exchange for votes.

The Quimbos said they have yet to receive a copy of the Comelec’s complaint, which they branded as a desperate move by their opponents. — Emmanuel Tupas