Julia Christine Botin

CWS party-list faces disqualification case for giving out brand-new cars

Article (news)

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A party-list group that seeks to represent the interests of construction workers is facing a disqualification case before the Commission on Elections for alleged vote-buying after it gave out brand-new cars at an event in Batangas.Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas Vice Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan, who is running for governor against former Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos, filed the disqualification petition against the Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-List.Ilagan accused the first nominee of the said party-list group, incumbent Rep. Edwin Gadiola, of vote-buying by organizing an event last February 13 in Lipa City, Batangas where it raffled off 3 brand-new cars for the winners of its &quot;Last to Take Hand Off Challenge.&quot;Ilagan said the act of distributing high-value prizes violates the Omnibus Election Code and could be a ground for disqualification.According to Ilagan, giving away brand new cars is a clear case of vote-buying.&quot;Harap-harapan…siya mismo ang nagbigay ng tatlong kotse bilang pabuya sa mga mananalo. Ito ay maliwanag na paglabag sa batas,&quot; Ilagan said.The prize distribution, according to Ilagan, took place within the 90-day campaign period for the May 2025 midterm polls.Ilagan submitted photos of the event as evidence of alleged vote-buying.Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. refused to comment on Ilagan’s disqualification petition.He however reminded candidates that giving out prizes during the election period is prohibited.&quot;The holding of talent shows, bingo games, and other similar activities that involve the distribution of prizes where the name of a candidate is posted, and if that is what happened to that case then that is already presumed to be a violation, in which case the burden is shifted to the respondent,&quot; Maceda said.

A party-list group that seeks to represent the interests of construction workers is facing a disqualification case before the Commission on Elections for alleged vote-buying after it gave out brand-new cars at an event in Batangas.

A party-list group that seeks to represent the interests of construction workers is facing a disqualification case before the Commission on Elections for alleged vote-buying after it gave out brand-new cars at an event in Batangas.