Comelec division grants DQ bid vs. 2 local bets for ‘vote-buying, misrepresentation’

Metro Manila, Philippines - Two local candidates may be disqualified from the May midterm elections after a Commission on Elections division granted petitions citing alleged poll offenses - specifically, vote-buying and material misrepresentation in a crackdown in line with tight electoral guidelines.

The Comelec First Division on Wednesday, April 30, approved a petition to disqualify General Luna, Quezon Mayor Matt Erwin Florido from the race for Quezon’s third district representative over alleged vote-buying.

In a separate resolution on the same day, the division also granted a petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Ronald “Bong” Rodriguez for Camarines Sur governor over alleged material misrepresentation.

Both candidates may appeal to reverse the rulings.

Florido’s case

Florido’s disqualification case stemmed from a complaint filed by five voters and residents of Buenavista, Quezon, who alleged that during a campaign event in April, they were each given free transportation, meals, drinks, T-shirts, and a ₱1,000 bill.

In his defense, Florido denied the vote-buying allegation, claiming the petitioners were campaign volunteers and that the event in question was an internal gathering for his staff and supporters. He argued that the ₱1,000 was intended to cover volunteer expenses, the T-shirts were official campaign uniforms, and the meals were leftover food from volunteer provisions.

However, the Comelec First Division ruled that the petitioners were “clearly” not among Florido’s volunteers, noting that they were not part of the exclusive volunteer group chat, were excluded from the meal provisions, and were mere attendees.

The division added it was “convinced” that the material benefits provided were intended to secure votes.

“The campaign speech of Respondent and the candle lighting, acts intended to influence and induce voters, were followed by the distribution of t-shirts and money. Respondent’s knowledge and tacit consent of the distribution of the material consideration are very apparent by his presence and active participation before (campaign speech) and after (shaking the hands and taking photographs with the petitioners) the distribution,” the resolution stated.

“There is substantial evidence that Respondent committed vote-buying,” the division concluded in its 11-page resolution signed by Presiding Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and Commissioners Ernesto Maceda Jr. and Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal.

Rodriguez’s case

Meanwhile, two voters from Pili, Camarines Sur filed a petition to cancel the COC of Ronald “Bong” Rodriguez, alleging that he falsely claimed residency in the town. According to the petitioners, Rodriguez actually resides in San Felipe, Naga City - an independent component city - which would make him ineligible to run for governor of Camarines Sur.

In his formal response, Rodriguez denied the allegation, asserting that he had transferred his residence and established a new domicile in Pili as part of his retirement plans. He claimed it was “public knowledge” that he had been living in Pili since April 2024 - within the required period before the elections.

However, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division found that Rodriguez' evidence “fails to substantiate his intent to remain in and to permanently transfer his home to Pili, Camarines Sur.”

“In fact, none of his evidence engenders the kind of permanence required of a ‘domicile’ as defined by law. Respondent’s evidence, consisting chiefly of lease contracts over two residential apartments, mobile phone and internet bills, and proofs of delivery from an e-commerce platform – including even his supposed retirement plans that remain as abstract ideas absent any indicative acts to such end – fall short of the standard permanence as established in jurisprudence,” the resolution stated.

The division concluded there was a “deliberate attempt to mislead, misinform, and hide the true state of his residence,” amounting to material misrepresentation that warranted the cancellation of his COC.

Rodriguez, a former campaign manager for then-Vice President Leni Robredo, is challenging the gubernatorial comeback bid of Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, the incumbent representative of Camarines Sur’s 2nd District.