74 present trigger orders issued for alleged vote-buying, abuse of assets

The Fee on Elections has issued present trigger orders for alleged vote-buying and abuse of state assets. File Photograph

MANILA, Philippines — The Fee on Elections (Comelec) has requested mayoral candidate and Marikina 2nd District Consultant Stella Quimbo, Manila Metropolis re-electionist Honey Lacuna, and 15 different candidates for the 2025 elections to clarify vote-buying allegations thrown towards them.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia informed the media in a message that the ballot physique has issued 74 present trigger orders for vote-buying and/or abuse of state assets (ASR) allegations up to now.

READ: Comelec vows strict measures to fight vote-buying, promoting, abuse

In a listing offered to the media on Friday, the Comelec mentioned that present trigger orders have been issued to the 17 candidates and two non-candidates. The record famous that the next allegedly engaged in vote-buying and/or ASR.

• Stella Luz Quimbo (mayoral candidate – Makati Metropolis; vote-buying and ASR)
• Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan (mayoral re-electionist – Manila Metropolis; vote-buying and ASR)
• Romero Federico Quimbo (Congressional seat – 2nd District of Marikina Metropolis; vote-buying)
• Denver Christopher Chua (mayoral candidate – Cavite Metropolis; 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 (by Chairperson Imee Reyes) (Occasion-list; vote-buying)
• Rolen Paulino Jr. (mayoral candidate – Olongapo Metropolis, 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)

The Comelec on Thursday mentioned that present trigger orders will even be issued to the next candidates:

• Francisco Domagoso (mayoral candidate – Manila Metropolis; vote-buying)
• Samuel Versoza Jr. (mayoral candidate – Manila Metropolis; vote-buying)
• Jerry Jose (member – municipal council of Nueva Vizcaya; vote-buying)
• Richard Kho (gubernatorial candidate – Masbate; ASR)
• Levito Baligod (Congressional candidate – fifth District of Baybay Metropolis, Leyte; presumed vote-buying)
• Marilou Baligod (mayoral candidate – Baybay Metropolis, Leyte; presumed vote-buying)
• Julian Edward Coseteng (member – municipal council of third District of Quezon Metropolis; presumed vote-buying)
• Anna Katrina Hernandez (member – provincial council of 4th District of Bulacan; ASR and vote-buying)
• Dale Malapitan (mayoral candidate – Caloocan Metropolis; vote shopping for 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)
• Joey Briz (Councilor – Alaminos, Laguna; vote-buying)
• Joseph Tan (Congressional candidate – 4th District, Isabela; vote-buying)
• Alyssa Sheena Tan (mayoral candidate – Santiago Metropolis, Isabela; vote-buying)
• Raul Tabirara (mayoral candidate – Pandan, Catanduanes; vote-buying)
• Adrian Advincula (Congressional candidate – third District, Cavite; vote-buying)
• Rex Cherreguinne Docena (councilor – Japanese Samar; vote-buying)
• Cyrex Basalo (mayoral candidate – Montevista, Davao de Oro; vote-buying)
• Reynante Tolentino (gubernatorial candidate – Aurora Province; vote-buying)
• Sherman Miguel (member – municipal council of Santiago Metropolis; vote-buying)
• Maria Fe Abunda (Congressional candidate – Japanese Samar; vote-buying)
• Jeannie Sandoval (mayoral candidate – Malabon Metropolis; vote-buying)
• Ariel Bitong (mayoral candidate – Maria Aurora, Aurora; vote-buying)
• Elizabeth Farin (member – municipal council; vote-buying)
• Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Congressional candidate – Palawan; vote-buying)
• Datu Ali Midtimbang (gubernatorial candidate – Maguindanao del Sur; vote-buying)
• Anton Abaya (member – municipal council; vote-buying)

READ: Comelec orders 3 native bets to clarify actions that could be vote shopping for

Vote-buying is taken into account as an election offense underneath the Part 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The Committee on Kontra Bigay is tasked to implement all insurance policies of the ballot physique towards vote-buying, vote-selling, and ASR and facilitate the submitting of complaints for election offenses or disqualification of candidates who can be confirmed to commit these election offenses.