Comelec affirms ruling to disqualify Quezon House bet for vote buying

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Friday affirmed the lower division ruling to disqualify a congressional candidate from Quezon province due to alleged vote buying.

Comelec 1st Division, presided over by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, disqualified General Luna town mayor Matt Ervin Florido, a candidate for the province’s 3rd District representative position.

READ: Comelec division disqualifies Quezon House bet over vote-buying

In a resolution promulgated on May 9, the Comelec en banc denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Florido, while affirming Comelec First Division’s decision.

It can be recalled that petitioners alleged that on April 5, they were invited by a representative of Florido to a gathering where they allegedly distributed P1,000 cash, with the candidate openly soliciting the votes of the audience.

Florido then filed a motion for reconsideration, saying the petition is insufficient in form.

He also reiterated that the P1,000 given to petitioners—his campaign volunteers—was only a cash advance to cover operational expenses related to their duties.

However, the Comelec en banc said: “Respondent merely recycled his previous arguments and no new and substantial arguments were raised, the Commission (En Banc) finds no compelling reason to disturb the Assailed Resolution.”

In reaction to the Comelec 1st Division ruling, Florido had said in Filipino: “Their pressure and use of power continue. The fight continues. Their lies will never succeed. No one should give up. Our victory is near!”

Florido could appeal this before the Supreme Court, and, without their decision, he remains a candidate in the upcoming polls.

“This topic will be a long legal process,” Florido said of their anticipated SC petition in a Facebook post on May 4. /jpv