The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed concern on the growing number of political candidates being issued show cause orders (SCOs) due to alleged violations of election regulations, including vote buying, instances of verbal abuse, and the improper use of government funds in the coming May 2025 midterm elections.
Poll body chairman George Garcia said the Comelec has received 158 complaints regarding vote buying, abusing state resources (ASR), and other electoral violations, and has issued at least 120 show cause orders.
Metro Manila has recorded the highest number of election violators, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and its potential effects on fair competition among candidates.
Garcia has summoned several mayoral candidates from Manila, Caloocan, and Malabon to clarify their supposed participation in vote buying.
Among them were former Manila mayor Isko Moreno has been accused of giving P3,000 to public school teachers. Additionally, his rival in the Manila mayoral race, Tutok to Win Representative Sam Verzosa, faces allegations of distributing items labeled with his initials, ‘SV.’
The Comelec also asked Manila City re-electionist Honey Lacuna, and 15 other candidates for the 2025 elections to explain vote-buying allegations thrown against them.
Also issued SCO was mayoral candidate and Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, re-electionist Caloocan Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan who was accused of vote buying and misusing government resources after allegedly distributing P3,225 at the Galino Covered Court.
Garcia said that most of the complaints which were filed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) before the Comelec involved the distribution of financial aid or “ayuda,” an act prohibited during the election period.
The Comelec chief reminded all candidates to strictly comply with election laws, particularly provisions that prohibit the use of government programs and resources to influence voters.
He warned that such actions may serve as grounds for disqualification.
He also urged voters not to accept money or favors in exchange for votes, reminding them that such acts are punishable under the Omnibus Election Code.
In a list provided to the media, the Comelec said that show cause orders were issued to candidates and two non-candidates allegedly engaged in vote-buying and/or ASR, including:
• Stella Luz Quimbo (mayoral candidate – Marikina City; vote-buying and ASR)
• Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (mayoral re-electionist – Manila City; vote-buying, 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) 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)