74 show cause orders issued for alleged vote-buying, abuse of resources

The Commission on Elections has issued show cause orders for alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources. File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked mayoral candidate and Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, Manila City re-electionist Honey Lacuna, and 15 other candidates for the 2025 elections to explain vote-buying allegations thrown against them.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia told the media in a message that the poll body has issued 74 show cause orders for vote-buying and/or abuse of state resources (ASR) allegations so far.

READ: Comelec vows strict measures to combat vote-buying, selling, abuse

In a list provided to the media on Friday, the Comelec said that show cause orders were issued to the 17 candidates and two non-candidates. The list noted that the following allegedly engaged in vote-buying and/or ASR.

• Stella Luz Quimbo (mayoral candidate – Makati City; vote-buying and ASR)
• Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (mayoral re-electionist – Manila City; vote-buying and ASR)
• Romero Federico Quimbo (Congressional seat – 2nd District of Marikina City; vote-buying)
• Denver Christopher Chua (mayoral candidate – Cavite City; vote-buying)
• Marvin Venus (member – municipal council of Baras, Rizal; vote-buying)
• Ruben Talon (member – municipal council of Dumangas, Iloilo; vote-buying)
• Butch Suspeñe (member – municipal council of Dumangas, Iloilo; vote-buying)
• Zake Derequito (member – municipal council of Dumangas, Iloilo; vote-buying)
• Zarah Rose Lara (gubernatorial candidate – Cagayan Province; vote-buying)
• Allan Martine de Leon (mayoral candidate – Taytay, Rizal; vote-buying)
• Kristofer Charls Esguerra (member – municipal council of Taytay, Rizal; vote-buying and ASR)
• Erwin Pastrana (mayoral candidate – Mauban, Quezon Province; ASR)
• Rhapsody Rivera (member – municipal council of 2nd District of Cuartero, Capiz; vote-buying)
• Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc., Kamalayan Partylist (through Chairperson Imee Reyes) (Party-list; vote-buying)
• Rolen Paulino Jr. (mayoral candidate – Olongapo City, Zambales; vote-buying)
• Danilo Fernandez (gubernatorial candidate – Laguna Province; vote-buying and ASR)
• Romulo Avila (vice mayoral candidate – Quezon Province; vote-buying and ASR)
• Dr. Winfred Rivera (not a candidate; vote-buying and ASR)
• Jeren Jude Bacas (not a candidate; vote-buying)

The Comelec on Thursday said that show cause orders will also be issued to the following candidates:

• Francisco Domagoso (mayoral candidate – Manila City; vote-buying)
• Samuel Versoza Jr. (mayoral candidate – Manila City; vote-buying)
• Jerry Jose (member – municipal council of Nueva Vizcaya; vote-buying)
• Richard Kho (gubernatorial candidate – Masbate; ASR)
• Levito Baligod (Congressional candidate – 5th District of Baybay City, Leyte; presumed vote-buying)
• Marilou Baligod (mayoral candidate – Baybay City, Leyte; presumed vote-buying)
• Julian Edward Coseteng (member – municipal council of 3rd District of Quezon City; presumed vote-buying)
• Anna Katrina Hernandez (member – provincial council of 4th District of Bulacan; ASR and vote-buying)
• Dale Malapitan (mayoral candidate – Caloocan City; vote buying and ASR)
• Esmael Mangudadatu (Congressional candidate – Maguindanao del Sur; vote-buying)
• Victor Mitra (vice mayoral candidate – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying and ASR)
• Eric Reyes (mayoral candidate – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying)
• Joey Briz (Councilor – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying)
• Joseph Tan (Congressional candidate – 4th District, Isabela; vote-buying)
• Alyssa Sheena Tan (mayoral candidate – Santiago City, Isabela; vote-buying)
• Raul Tabirara (mayoral candidate – Pandan, Catanduanes; vote-buying)
• Adrian Advincula (Congressional candidate – 3rd District, Cavite; vote-buying)
• Rex Cherreguinne Docena (councilor – Eastern Samar; vote-buying)
• Cyrex Basalo (mayoral candidate – Montevista, Davao de Oro; vote-buying)
• Reynante Tolentino (gubernatorial candidate – Aurora Province; vote-buying)
• Sherman Miguel (member – municipal council of Santiago City; vote-buying)
• Maria Fe Abunda (Congressional candidate – Eastern Samar; vote-buying)
• Jeannie Sandoval (mayoral candidate – Malabon City; vote-buying)
• Ariel Bitong (mayoral candidate – Maria Aurora, Aurora; vote-buying)
• Elizabeth Farin (member – municipal council; vote-buying)
• Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Congressional candidate – Palawan; vote-buying)
• Datu Ali Midtimbang (gubernatorial candidate – Maguindanao del Sur; vote-buying)
• Anton Abaya (member – municipal council; vote-buying)

READ: Comelec orders 3 local bets to explain actions that may be vote buying

Vote-buying is considered as an election offense under the Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The Committee on Kontra Bigay is tasked to implement all policies of the poll body against vote-buying, vote-selling, and ASR and facilitate the filing of complaints for election offenses or disqualification of candidates who will be proven to commit these election offenses.