THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is determined to prosecute local candidates in the May 12 polls who were issued show cause orders (SCOs) due to alleged vote-buying activities.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said on Monday, April 28, 2025, that they will not stop with simply asking candidates to explain allegations of vote-buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) against them.
“Napatunayan na namin na nagpa-file ang Comelec pagkatapos ng show cause ng petition to cancel or disqualify iyong mismong kandidato,” Garcia said.
(We have confirmed that the Comelec files a petition to cancel or disqualify the candidate themselves after issuing a show cause order.)
He said the SCOs are merely initial steps that are provided under the required due process.
“Importante may show cause muna para lang kahit paano may proseso. Alangan
namang file kami ang file, bandang huli madi-dismiss din kami,” said the poll chief.
(It's important to have a show cause order first so that there’s at least a process. We can’t just keep filing and filing only to get dismissed in the end.)
He also assured that they will pursue the cases regardless of the political allegiance or the positions involved in the said SCOs.
“Kung nakita niyo sa listahan ng iniisyuhan ng show case, wala pong parti-partido, wala po kaming tiningnan kahit na kung ano iyong posisyon. Lahat ng kailangang isyuhan at magpaliwanag, pinagpapaliwanag ng Comelec,” said Garcia.
(If you look at the list of those issued a show cause order, there’s no favoritism. We did not consider any party or position. Everyone who needed to be issued and asked to explain was required by the Comelec to explain.)
Last week, close to 50 candidates in the May 12 midterm polls were issued SCOs by the Comelec's Committee on Kontra Bigay.
Among them are mayoral bets Isko Moreno, Samuel Versoza, and Honey Lacuna of the City of Manila, as well as Stella Quimbo of Marikina City, and Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon City.
Also issued SCOs are gubernatorial candidates Zarah Rose Lara of Cagayan, Danilo Fernandez of Laguna, Reynante Tolentino of Aurora, and Datu Ali Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)