Laguna, Marikina power couples asked to explain alleged vote-buying, ASR
Commission on Elections. Inquirer file photo.
MANILA, Philippines — Laguna’s incumbent Governor Ramil and his wife, 2nd District Rep. Ruth Hernandez; and Marikina City Congressional candidate Marcelino and wife, mayoral bet Marjorie Teodoro have been asked by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to explain vote-buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) allegations for the May 2025 elections.
The Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) issued four separate show cause orders to the local candidates on Monday. They were made available to the media on Tuesday.
The CKB said that the show cause orders for the Hernandez couple were based on a petition for disqualification filed last April 30 for alleged acts of vote buying and/or ASR conducted in various dates in April 2025.
READ: Disqualification cases filed vs Quezon City, Laguna bets
According to the petition, CKB said that the couple, which are switching positions in the upcoming elections, allegedly instructed individuals to go to a certain office to claim health cards with yellow papers containing barcodes, in which they would receive P2,000 in return. Aside from this, the couple allegedly gave cash and food in different locations in exchange for votes.
One instance also showed that they distributed brown envelopes with cash worth P2,000 and food for attendees.
‘Government assistance’
Meanwhile, the CKB noted that the show cause orders issued to the Teodoro couple were based on a complaint received by the committee on Monday where they allegedly committed acts of vote-buying and ASR through the guise of a government assistance from April 28 to May 1 in various locations in Marikina City.
The CKB, referencing the complaint, said that Marjorie was reportedly campaigning for herself and Marcelino; while identified supporters were seen distributing payouts or stubs worth P2,000.
It added that an occasion showed that the couples’ supporters filled a barangay hall and people passing by were asked if they were voters of Marikina City. When answered in the affirmative, they were instructed to line up to receive money in the form of medical assistance.
“It is the position of this Committee that the foregoing acts constitute possible violation of vote buying and/or abuse of state resources in violation of Section 261 (a), (o), and/or (v)(2) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), as implemented by Sections 24, 26, 30, and 34 of COMELEC Resolution 111104,” the show cause orders issued to the Hernandez and Teodoro couples read.
Section 24 states that an act where any person who gives or promises any money or anything of value in exchange of votes is considered as vote-buying and vote-selling. Meanwhile, Section 26 said that couples’ acts of long lines of registered voters of persons for distribution of money or goods in order to induce them to vote can be considered as presumed ASR.
The CKB also pointed out that the Hernandez couple’s acts of possessing or delivery of notes, money, pay envelopes, or groceries in favor or against a candidate and offering something of value in exchange of a vote, employing “hakot” system, and giving “ayuda” where the candidates’ names are mentioned are presumed acts of vote-buying and selling.
Further, Section 30 pertains to acts constituting ASR where there is a misuse of government resources and Section 34 or the presumed ASR consists of distribution of legitimate social welfare benefits such in the presence of candidates, their family, or campaign materials.
Social welfare benefits
The Comelec prohibits politicians and candidates from the distribution of social welfare benefits. Several programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development are exempted from the 45-day spending ban of the poll body.
READ: 74 show cause orders issued for alleged vote-buying, abuse of resources
“[Y]ou are hereby ordered 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 you,” the show cause orders read.
Vote-buying and vote-selling are considered as election offenses under the Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The CKB 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 offense or disqualification of candidates who will be proven to commit these election offenses.
