Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Daniza Fernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785403175031177027785090520211111-comelec-building-jc-013751950.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Palacio Del Gobernador headquarters to the Commission on Elections in Intramuros Manila on Nov. 11, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The P50-million donation of the local government of Dasmariñas City, Cavite to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not a form of bribery, the poll body said on Thursday.</p><p>The city government, represented by Vice Mayor Third Barzaga, made the donation to help the Comelec in conducting the special election for the representative of Dasmariñas, which is Cavite’s Fourth District.</p><p>The post has been vacant since the vice mayor’s brother Kiko Barzaga was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/2/house-panel-recommends-kiko-barzaga-s-expulsion-1825">expelled from the House of Representatives </a>due to “disorderly” conduct. </p><p>One of the five candidates for the position is the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/17/kiko-barzaga-s-mom-files-coc-for-cavite-special-polls-to-replace-son-1928">Barzagas’ mother, Mayor Jenny Barzaga</a>. Currently, Third is the acting mayor amid the congressional bid of his mother.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/16/four-aspirants-file-cocs-for-cavite-4th-district-special-polls-1722">Four aspirants file COCs for Cavite 4th District special polls</a></div><p>A Facebook page named “Calabarzon Connect” called the donation a “legal bribery in broad daylight.” The Comelec denied the claim.</p><p>“Ang pondong ito ay hindi isang uri ng suhol para impluwensyahan ang COMELEC at baluktutin ang magiging resulta ng special elections sa Dasmariñas, Cavite,” the poll body said in a statement.</p><p>“Hindi kailanman legal ang akto ng panunuhol. Ang tahasang akusasyon na ito sa COMELEC na walang sapat na batayan at hindi suportado ng ebidensya ay isang pangunahing kakanyahan ng disinformation,” it added.</p><p>The Comelec said issues on legalities of government funds should go through proper channels and be resolved by authorities based on law.</p><p>The campaign period for the special poll started on Thursday. Voters in Dasmariñas are set to elect their House representative on Aug. 29.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t9F8OgZAmoU?si=q5Png0Eob1t7azSu" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The P50-million donation of the local government of Dasmariñas City, Cavite to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not a form of bribery, the poll body said on Thursday.</p>

The P50-million donation of the local government of Dasmariñas City, Cavite to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not a form of bribery, the poll body said on Thursday.

Comelec: Dasmariñas’ P50-million donation not a form of bribery

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Comelec: Dasmariñas’ P50-million donation not a form of bribery

Daniza Fernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 30, 2026 05:26 PM PHT

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Dasmarinas

special election

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