After alleged harassment of witnesses: DQ petition vs. bet amended

CEBU, Philippines — Cordova mayoralty candidate Teche Sitoy Cho and eight others filed an amended petition on the disqualification case she filed against Cordova Mayor and reelectionist Cesar Suan and eight others.

Cho and eight others claimed in their amended complaint that their 15 witnesses were harassed an hour after the filing of the disqualification and witnesses were called at the police station to retract their claims of vote buying.

The other complainants are Atty. Rounald Ave Sitoy, Cynthia Cuarenta, Enrique Durangparang III, Christopher Ligan, Anthony Pogoy, Samuel Sumagang, Jovelle Trangia, and Roque Yburan, all members of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas-Cordova Chapter.

While those complained of aside from Suan are Vice Mayor Victor Tago III, and those running for councilors Liera Casquejo, Natileigh Marie Therese Sitoy, Jerome Lepiten, Remar Baguio, Lemuel Pogoy, Chito Bentazal, Jet Wahing, and Leira Casquejo.

The complainants said that their petition for disqualification was filed through online filing on May 9, 2025 at about 3 A.M.

Later on the same day, some of the witnesses were summoned by their respective barangay captains while others were called by the barangay health workers to the barangay hall.

In the barangay hall, the witnesses were allegedly threatened that they will be detained for testifying in the petition for disqualification.

“Through threat and intimidation, they were brought to the police station and coerced to make a blotter report denying truthfulness of their respective affidavits attached in the disqualification case,” the complaint said.

The complainants said that because of threat and intimidation some of the witnesses were forced to sign a blotter report in the police station which was drafted by their respective barangay captains and/or Barangay Health Workers;

Due to the said incident, some of the witness sought refuge with Cho to ensure their safety and security.

“In the event that the testimonies of the witnesses who were victims of threat, intimidation and coercion is required, they have expressed their willingness to testify on the details of coercion incident as may be necessary,” the complaint added.

Earlier, the complainants filed a petition to disqualify all the respondents for alleged massive vote buying in 13 barangays in Cordova, Cebu,

Sought for comment, Suan said, “Ilaha nang katungod nga mo-file. Amoa nang tubagon in the right forum.”

The petition for disqualification and cancellation of their certificate of candidacy was on the grounds of massive vote buying, a violation of Section 68 and 261 of the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 11104.

The complainants stated that the voters and witnesses received the amount of ?1,900 placed inside the brown ¼ size brown envelope with sample ballots and the names of Suan and his group attached to the bills. — (FREEMAN)