Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Dennis

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761632660460cropped-571129890_1379816733500452_2887124461926716093_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Cabuyao, Laguna Mayor Dennis Hain for alleged vote-buying during the midterm elections, a document showed Tuesday.  <em>Photo from Mayot Dennis &quot;DENHA&quot; Hain&#x27;s Facebook page</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Cabuyao, Laguna Mayor Dennis Hain for alleged vote-buying during the midterm elections, a document showed Tuesday.</p><p>The issue stemmed from a petition filed by Cabuyao&#x27;s former vice mayor Leif Opiña, who alleged that Hain &quot;distributed money&quot; to residents in their business property during a &quot;Poll Watchers Seminar.&quot; </p><p>Also named as respondent in the petition was Richard &quot;Dondon&quot; Hain, the brother of Dennis. The poll body, however, dismissed the petition against Dondon – who ran as a member of the House of Representatives but eventually lost – rendering it moot and academic. </p><p>In its 19-page resolution promulgated Oct. 23, the Comelec division sided with Opiña, who showed photos and videos of people lining up in the establishment for a P1,000 cash and a sample ballot. </p><p>He also presented witnesses, who said Dennis &quot;personally appeared and delivered a speech soliciting votes.&quot; </p><p>Hain, the Comelec said, gave &quot;something of value – thus satisfying the first element of vote-buying under Section 68 (a) of the [Omnibus Election Code], with the intent to induce the residents of Cabuyao City to vote for him,&quot; the resolution read.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/sc-upholds-comelec-s-decision-disqualifying-quezon-candidate-over-vote-buying-1836">READ: SC upholds Comelec&#x27;s decision disqualifying Quezon candidate over vote-buying</a></div><p>Residents&#x27; mobile phones were also supposedly surrendered and wrapped in plastic tape &quot;to avoid recording.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Taking a hard look at the surrounding circumstances of the instant case and the evidence presented by herein Petitioner, it can be reasonably concluded, in accordance with the ordinary course of human nature, that Respondent Dennis is involved in the handing out of cash to influence and induce the residents of Cabuyao City to vote for him,&quot; the document stated. </p><p>&quot;Noteworthy is the fact that Respondent Dennis offered neither denial nor vehement objection over the allegations in the Petition that the gathering took place within the compound owned by him, that he was present at the time the distribution of the money occurred, and that he spoke before the residents of Cabuyao City to solicit their votes,&quot; it added. </p><p>This means, according to the Comelec division, that Hain &quot;effectively admitted&quot; and that he had knowledge of the activity. </p><p>&quot;We find that Respondent Dennis failed to overcome the presumption and the evidence showing that he committed vote-buying,&quot; it read. </p><p>All these considered, the Comelec division disqualified Hain as mayor of Cabuyao City for the 2025 national and local elections.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/5/comelec-reports-drop-in-vote-buying-incidents-in-2025-elections-2029">READ: Comelec reports drop in vote-buying incidents in 2025 elections</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>HAIN CAMP DENIES VOTE-BUYING</strong></div><p>In a statement, Hain&#x27;s legal team rejected the allegations, saying he &quot;did not participate in, authorize, or have any involvement in the acts alleged in the petition.&quot; </p><p>It said it would file a motion for reconsideration with the commission en banc, expressing confidence there would be a fair and thorough review of the case which would &quot;ultimately vindicate his name.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Mayor Hain continues to faithfully discharge his duties as Mayor of Cabuyao City, focused on governance and public service, while allowing the proper legal remedies to take their course,&quot; lawyer Paeng Palis said in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News. </p><p>&quot;We appeal to everyone to respect the independence of the Comelec and to refrain from speculation pending the resolution of the case by the en banc,&quot; Palis added. </p><div><strong>– with a report from Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div>

<p>The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Cabuyao, Laguna Mayor Dennis Hain for alleged vote-buying during the midterm elections, a document showed this Tuesday.</p>

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Cabuyao, Laguna Mayor Dennis Hain for alleged vote-buying during the midterm elections, a document showed this Tuesday.

Comelec division disqualifies Cabuyao, Laguna mayor over alleged vote-buying

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Comelec division disqualifies Cabuyao, Laguna mayor over alleged vote-buying

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 28, 2025 02:26 PM PHT

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Updated October 28, 2025 04:49 PM PHT

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