Driver nabbed for alleged illegal campaigning in San Jose Del Monte

Police arrest a man for driving a vehicle bearing the name of a mayoral candidate in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on election day, May 12, 2025. (Photo from the Police Regional Office 3)

MANILA, Philippines — A driver was nabbed for allegedly campaigning despite the ban on election day last May 12 in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) announced.

In a press briefing at Camp Olivas in San Fernando City, Pampanga on Thursday, PRO3 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said police were alerted by a concerned citizen to a van driving around Tungkong Mangga Elementary School at around 5:40 p.m. on Monday.

“There was a vehicle with the brand, the name of the candidate running for mayor there in the City of San Jose Del Monte that was giving out food and other leaflets pertaining to the election.,” Fajardo said in Filipino.

“The police were trying really hard to talk with the man to calmly join them. However, he was giving them a hard time. He held on to the vehicle so that he wouldn’t be handcuffed,” Fajardo added.

Mugshot of the suspect (Photo from the Police Regional Office 3)

The suspect’s mugshot indicated that he was apprehended for illegal campaigning.

However, in a statement later on Thursday, PRO3 said a case had been filed before the San Jose Del Monte City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect for violating Section 261(a) of Batas Pambansa 881, which pertains to vote-buying.

READ: ‘Stop vote-buying,’ Comelec orders PNP

Candidate’s response

Materials allegedly recovered from the van (Photo from the Police Regional Office 3)

Although Fajardo herself did not name the mayoral candidate whose name was displayed on the vehicle, photos shared by the PRO3 showed the van and the materials recovered pertained to lawyer Earl Tan.

In a social media post early Tuesday morning, Tan slammed the arrest, saying: “It’s no longer allowed to drive around our city with this kind of vehicle? What’s the electioneering there? It’s not allowed to bring food and water?”

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“All city government vehicles have your names and faces, all posts, all walls, etc. This car of mine, it’s privately owned. You’ll arrest and handcuff him? If you can do it to my driver and my car, how about the ordinary people?” he added.

In another social media post on Wednesday, Tan claimed the case against the driver was recommended to be dismissed, adding that he will be pursuing cases against the arresting officers. / MR