17 more poll bets ordered to explain ‘vote buying’

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered 17 more candidates in the May 12 polls to explain allegations that they are involved in vote buying and abuse of state resources.

Earlier, 29 candidates were issued show-cause orders by the poll body over similar allegations.

Data provided by the Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay showed that of the 17, six each are running for mayor and councilor, two for governor and one each for Congress, vice mayor and party-list.

Among the mayoral candidates told to explain were Stella Quimbo of Marikina, Honey Lacuna-Pangan of Manila, Denver Chua of Cavite City, Allan de Leon of Taytay in Rizal, Erwin Pastrana of Mauban in Quezon and Rolen Paulino Jr. of Olongapo City.

Quimbo’s husband Romero, who is seeking a congressional seat in the second district of Marikina was also issued a show-cause order.

Candidates for city or municipal council who were ordered to explain were Marvin Venus and Kristofer Esguerra of Baras and Taytay in Rizal, respectively, and Rhapsody Rivera of Cuartero in Capiz as well as Ruben Talon, Butch Suspeñe and Zake Derequito of Dumangas in Iloilo.

Two gubernatorial candidates, Zarah Rose DG Lara of Cagayan and Dan Fernandez of Laguna, were among those issued show-cause orders for alleged vote buying as well as mayoral candidate Romulo Avila of Quezon province.

The Comelec ordered party-list group Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc. to explain.

Meanwhile, Winfred Rivera and Jeren Jude Bacas, who are not seeking elective posts, were also issued show-cause orders by the Comelec for alleged involvement in vote buying.

Kontra Bigay chief Teopisto Elnas said the issuance of show-cause orders is proof that the Comelec is serious in addressing and preventing incidents of vote buying and abuse of state resources.

One-strike policy

Meanwhile, police chiefs found engaging in partisan politics and those who fail to address election-related violent incidents in their areas of jurisdiction will be removed from their posts, according to the Philippine National Police.

The PNP issued the warning yesterday after it relieved Col. Bayani Razalan as Iloilo police director for allegedly engaging in partisan politics.

“The provincial director was removed not because he was involved in an incident, but because the head of the Western Visayas police thinks he cannot remain apolitical,” PNP information officer Col. Randulf Tuano said.

Tuano did not specify Razalan’s supposed offense that was perceived as being partisan by Western Visayas police director Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky.

Razalan will be replaced by Col. Rolando Bulalacao.

It is a policy of the PNP to reassign to other areas police officers who have relatives seeking elective posts in their areas of jurisdiction. — Emmanuel Tupas, Jennifer Rendon