The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay is set to issue more show cause orders (SCO) against national and local candidates for Eleksyon 2025 over alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources (ASR).
In a document shared with reporters on Thursday, the vote-buying committee will direct nine more candidates to explain their alleged involvement in the supposed vote-buying and ASR activities, including Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagosoand Sam Versoza Jr., who are both running for Manila mayor in the 2025 May midterm elections.
TheCommittee on Kontra Bigay said Moreno allegedly handed out P3,000 to public schoolteachers while Versoza Jr. supposedly gave away goods labelled “SV.” The body will look into the incidents to determine if they may be consideredvote-buying activities.
Moreno said their camp has yet to receive a copy of the SCO.
Meanwhile, Versoza took to Facebook live to remind voters not to sell votes as he showed a supposed vote-buying incident in San Andres Sports Complex, according to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “Unang Hirit”.
“Nandito ako sa San Andres Sports Complex, nagbibigayan ng P1,000 ngayon. Kami pa ang babaliktarin na nagbebenta ng boto, mas malinaw ang vote-buying nandito sa San Andres Sports Complex. Kayo na po ang humusga kung sino ang namiimili ng boto,” said Versoza.
(I’m here at the San Andres Sports Complex and P1,000 bills are being distributed. You be the judge who really is buying votes.)
Other candidates to be served SCOs are Caloocan reelectionist mayor Along Malapitan for vote-buying and ASR after he allegedly gave away money at the covered court of the local government unit and Quezon City 3rd district Sangguniang Panlungsod candidate Julian Cosetengfor presumed vote-buying after he offered P500 Gcash prizes.
Also to be served with the orders are:
-Masbate gubernatorial candidate Richard Kho — alleged use of emergency alerts to broadcast names of candidates, constituting ASR
-Villaverde, Baybay, Leyte 5th district congressional bet Levito Baligod — presumed vote-buying for holding rally with prizes bearing his name and face
-Baybay, Leyte mayoralty candidate Marilou Baligod — presumed vote-buyingfor holding rally with prizes bearing her name and face
-Nueva Vizcaya Sangguniang Bayan member Jerry Jose — vote-buying for distributing live pigs
-Bulacan 4th District Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Anna Kathrina Hernandez — vote-buying for giving away dish racks, electric fans, rice, shirts.
On "24 Oras," Baligod denied engaging in vote-buying and expressed readiness to defend himself when he receives a copy of the SCO.
GMA News Online is trying to reach out to the concerned candidates for their side.
Malapitan explains
Malapitan explained that the cash he handed during the alleged vote-buying incident was part of the P37.5 million worth of funds for social welfare and services project that the Caloocan city government requested to be exempted from the election spending ban. The poll body supposedly approved the request in February.
“Nais ko pong linawin na ang nasabing aktibidad ay nasa ilalim ng ating regular na programang Agapay sa Manggagawa ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan at pinayagan ng Comelec,” said Malapitan in a social media post.
(I want to clarify that the program under the Agapay Sa Manggagawa of the Caloocan city government was approved by the Comelec.)
“Ang programang ito po ay nakakuha ng Comelec exemption noong February 7, 2025 kasabay ng iba pang regular na aktibidad ng lokal na pamahalaan upang magtuloy-tuloy ang ating serbisyo sa mga mamamayan. Ibig sabihin, legal at pinapayagan ng Comelec ang pagsasagawa ng Agapay Sa Manggagawa,” he said.
(The program secured election ban exemption from the Comelec so we could continue servicing our constituents.)
According to Malapitan, Agapay Sa Manggagawa aims to provide livelihood to unemployed and underemployed citizens in Caloocan City.
“Asahan nyo po na katuwang ako ng Comelec at ng mga mamamayan sa pagsusulong ng isang tapat at patas na eleksyon,” he added.
(I am one with the Comelec in pushingfor fair and honest elections.)
Baligod
For his part, Levito Baligod denied the allegations against him.
"We are completely unaware about the basis of such allegation, and will await for the SCO so we can respond accordingly. Certainly, though, we neither held, nor intend to hold, any raffle of prizes violative of any election law. Thank you!" Baligod said.
Section 261 (v) (1) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials, employees, including barangay officials and government-owned or controlled corporations, from releasing, disbursing, or expanding public funds for public works within 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election—except for maintenance of existing or completed public works projects, work undertaken by contract through public bidding, and emergency work.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11060, a certificate ofexemptionis needed to implement activities and programs on social welfare projects and services while the publicspendingbanis in effect from March 28 to May 11, 2025.—LDF/AOL, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
