Daven Tamayo

Comelec questions 20 more candidates over vote-buying allegations

A voter’s hand is marked with indelible ink after feeding his ballot to the vote counting machine in Mines Elementary School in Brgy. Vasra, Project 6, Quezon City on May 9, 2022, election day. Alec Corpuz, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay accused more national and local candidates of alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources. The confirmed list of additional 20 candidates who were issued show cause orders by the Comelec on Thursday included:<ul><li>- Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, (re-electionist) </li><li>- Hon. Eric Lopez Reyes, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Hon. Victor Landicho Mitra, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Rep. Joey Briz, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Joseph S. Tan, (candidate, House of Representatives, Fourth District, Isabela)</li><li>- Hon. Anna Kathrina M. Hernandez, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Hon. Alyssa Sheena P. Tan, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Raul E. Tabirara, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Rep. Rex Cherreguinne Docena, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Hon. Cyrex Basalo, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Reynante A. Tolentino, (candidate, Governor, Aurora Province)</li><li>- Rep. Maria Fe R. Abunda, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Hon. Jeannie N. Sandoval, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Hon. Ariel S. Bitong, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Elizabeth L. Farin, (candidate, Sangguniang Bayan) </li><li>- Christopher Sheen P. Gonzales, (candidate, House of Representatives, Lone District, Palawan)</li><li>- Gov. Datu Ali Midtimbang, (re-electionist)</li><li>- Anton Phoenix A. Abaya, (candidate, Sangguniang Panglungsod)</li></ul> Earlier Thursday, Manila mayoral candidates such as Isko Moreno and Samuel Versoza, as well as other 9 local candidates were also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/24/comelec-orders-isko-moreno-other-local-bets-to-explain-alleged-vote-buying-1522">asked to explain</a> the alleged vote-buying that took place in their respective campaigning activities. Comelec has required that all candidates must respond within a strict, non-extendible period of 3 days from the receipt of the show cause order to explain why a complaint for election offense or petition for disqualification should not be filed against them.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay accused more national and local candidates of alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay accused more national and local candidates of alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources.