Bohol gubernatorial bet faces disqualification

CEBU, Philippines — A gubernatorial candidate in Bohol is facing possible disqualification from the May 12 midterm elections after allegedly discussing a woman's undergarments on air.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday issued a show cause order directing Bohol gubernatorial aspirant Dan Neri Lim to respond to accusations against him within three days.

Comelec’s Task Force Safe ordered Lim to submit a written explanation detailing why he should not be disqualified from the race and charged with an election offense.

Lim allegedly discussed the undergarments of Maria Vanessa Aumentado during his radio program on March 19. Aumentado has since filed a formal complaint before the Comelec.

“In our view, the foregoing utterances constitute a violation of the Anti-Discriminatory and Fair Campaigning guidelines,” Task Force Safe said.

The Comelec warned that failure to submit a written explanation would be considered a waiver of the right to be heard and may lead to the filing of appropriate charges.

Vote-buying, resource abuse

In a separate development, over 200 candidates in the upcoming midterm elections are also facing possible disqualification for alleged vote-buying and misuse of government resources.

According to Comelec data, its Kontra Bigay Committee has issued show cause orders to 213 candidates and party-list groups.

Of these, 130 cases involve alleged vote buying and selling, primarily through the distribution of cash. Another 67 cases concern abuse of state resources (ASR), including the misuse of government assistance programs.

Among those issued show cause orders are Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and her rivals, former mayor Isko Moreno and Congressman Sam Versoza. Marikina mayoral candidate Stella Quimbo and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, who is seeking re-election, are also on the list.

Others who received show cause orders include Cagayan gubernatorial candidate Zarah Rose Lara, Laguna gubernatorial aspirant Danilo Fernandez, Aurora candidate Reynante Tolentino, and Maguindanao del Sur bet Datu Ali Midtimbang.

The Kontra Bigay Committee also issued show cause orders to the party-list group Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan (Kamalayan) and several non-candidates.

The CALABARZON region accounts for the highest number of show cause orders with 44, followed by Central Luzon with 38, and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 33.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said he had referred to the Kontra Bigay Committee a case involving a local candidate in Makati accused of vote buying.

Garcia emphasized that the poll body would not hesitate to pursue disqualification and election offense cases against those found guilty of vote buying or ASR violations.

“Napatunayan na naming na nagpa-file ang Comelec pagkatapos ng show cause order ng petition to disqualify ‘yong mismong kandidato,” Garcia said.

He explained that issuing a show cause order is a crucial first step in penalizing violators of election rules.

“Kung nakita ninyo sa listahan ng na-issuehan ng show cause orders, walang partido-partido, wala po kaming tinitingnan kahit na ano ang inyong posisyon,” he added. — Philippine Star News Service  (FREEMAN)