Manila’s Lacuna, 18 others ordered to explain vote-buying allegations

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna is among the mayoral candidates who have been issued show cause orders (SCOs) over alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources. (File Photo: Dra. Honey Lacuna/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec), through its Task Force Kontra Bigay, has issued show cause orders (SCOs) to six mayoral candidates and 11 other local aspirants for possible violations of election laws, including alleged vote-buying and misuse of government resources during their campaigns.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna is among the mayoral candidates who have been issued show cause orders (SCOs) over alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources.

The Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB), led by Teopisto Elnas Jr., released a document identifying the candidates accused of election violations.

Aside from Lacuna, the other mayoral bets issued with SCOs include Stella Quimbo (Marikina), Denver Christopher Chua (Cavite), Allan Martine de Leon (Taytay, Rizal), Erwin Pastrana (Mauban, Quezon), and Rolen Pauline, Jr. (Olongapo), and Romulo Avila, who is running for vice mayor in Quezon province.

Also directed to explain are Quimbo’s husband, former Rep. Romero Quimbo, who is seeking a comeback for Marikina’s 2nd District congressional post; and Zarah Rose Lara and Danilo Fernandez, gubernatorial bets of Cagayan and Laguna provinces, respectively.

The other local bets issued with SCOs are Marvin Venus (member, Sangguniang Bayan, Baras, Rizal); Kristofer Esguerra (member, Sangguniang Bayan, Taytay, Rizal); Rhapsody Rivera (member Sangguniang Bayan, 2nd District, Cuartero, Capiz); and Ruben Talon, Butch Suspeñe and Zake Derequito (members, Sangguniang Bayan, Dumangas, Iloilo).

Also ordered to respond to SCOs were party-list group Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc. (Kamalayan), through chairperson Imee Reyes; and private individuals Dr. Winfred Rivera and Jeren Jude Bacas.

All respondents have been given three days from receipt of the order to explain why no election offense or disqualification case should be filed against them.

Responses must be submitted via email to the committee.kontrabigay@co.

Meanwhile, Lacuna expressed her intention to comply with the Comelec’s directive.

“We will comply with the Comelec’s show cause order as soon as we receive a copy because we believe in due process,” she said in a statement.

“The Comelec is rightfully and properly giving us the opportunity to respond to dispute and debunk whatever was put forward. We are ready to disprove and debunk,” she added.

Comelec warned that failure to respond will be deemed a waiver of the right to be heard and may lead to the filing of appropriate cases.