Comelec orders 3 local bets to explain actions that may be vote buying
SEASON’S CLUTTER Campaign posters compete for attention at a tricycle terminal near Ilugin Elementary School, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City. (Photo from LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked three more local candidates for the 2025 elections to explain their activities that may be considered vote buying.
The poll body’s Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) issued show cause orders to Oriental Mindoro mayoral candidate Ernilo Villas and his wife, vice mayoral candidate Edna Villas, and Nueva Ecija congressional candidate Emerson Pascual.
The complaints against the Villas couple said they both facilitated cash distribution of P2,000.
This action was reportedly made “under the pretense of a work program of the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development].”
The distributions were said to have happened at a covered court in Barangay Poblacion, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro on March 27 and 28, and on April 2, 2025.
READ: Group files vote-buying case vs Quezon City rep, councilor bets
“It is the position of the Committee that the foregoing constitute possible violation of Section 261 (a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 of the Omnibus Election Code, as implemented by Section 26 (k) of COMELEC Resolution No. 11104” under presumed vote buying and vote selling.
The resolution defined what constitutes vote buying and vote selling.
These offenses involve “giving, distributing and receiving any assistance or “ayuda” other than those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as, but not limited to, basic needs and assistance, during the campaign period, whether given by the candidate or his or her relative within the second degree of affinity or consanguinity, or their known supporters or employers.”
Meanwhile, another show cause order stated that Emerson Pascual, a congressional bet in Nueva Ecija’s 4th District, asked for someone’s support in the upcoming elections, and offered or promised money to people in two barangays in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.
The panel noted that Pascual committed to providing financial support to an individual who is starting a business; paying for the hospital bills of three persons; covering medical treatment expenses and promising assistance to the residents.
According to the order, the commitments may constitute possible violation of Section 261 (a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 of the Omnibus Election Code, as implemented by Section 26 (k) of Comelec Resolution No. 11104” under presumed vote buying and vote selling.
The resolution said “offering or promising something of value in consideration for someone’s vote” shall be presumed an act of vote buying and vote selling.
The CKB asked the three local candidates to “SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three (3) days from receipt hereof, and to explain why a complaint for election offense and or a petition for disqualification” should not be filed against them.
The committee previously ordered Palawan congressional candidate Abraham Mitra to explain his Facebook posts offering free movie tickets, and showing up on the screening day.
The panel said these actions may be presumed as vote buying under the Section 26 of the Comelec Resolution No. 11104.
READ: Comelec issues show cause order vs Palawan bet over free movie treat
On Wednesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the CKB received around 150 reports of alleged vote buying and abuse of state resources.
He said these candidates must also be ordered to explain the allegations thrown against them.
The CKB is tasked with facilitating the filing of complaints for election offenses or the disqualification of candidates for vote buying, vote selling or acts constituting abuse of state resources.
The panel works alongside the poll body’s law department.
