Reelectionist Fourth district Representative Anna York Bondoc has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place three Pampanga towns under its control due to alleged election-related violence and threats.
In a letter addressed to Comelec Chairman George Garcia dated April 23, 2025, Bondoc identified the towns of Masantol, Apalit, and Sto. Tomas.
She cited persistent threats, acts of violence, and political instability.
All three towns are within the fourth legislative district of Pampanga, which Bondoc currently represents.
She noted that the same towns were previously placed under Comelec control during the 2016 elections through Resolution No. 10132, dated May 11, 2016, due to similar issues.
“Given the recurring nature of these issues, we believe that it is necessary to reinstate Comelec control over these three towns to ensure the holding of a free, peaceful, orderly, honest, credible, safe, and secure election process,” Bondoc stated in her letter.
Attached to the petition are sworn statements from several town and barangay officials perceived to be political allies of Bondoc.
The local officials claimed that they received threats from Patrol Partylist Representative Jorge Bustos and his allies.
Bondoc and Bustos are both running for fourth district representative in the upcoming elections.
Among those who filed affidavits is reelectionist Masantol Vice Mayor Danilo Guintu.
He is challenging the reelection bid of Bustos’ son, incumbent Mayor Ton-Ton Bustos.
Guintu earlier filed a separate request on April 10, 2025 for Comelec to place Masantol under its control.
Also reporting alleged threats are Masantol Councilor Bajun Lacap, aspiring councilor Dhimans Manansala, and several barangay officials.
They claimed that the intimidation stemmed from their open support for Guintu and Bondoc.
One of them, Barangay Palimpe Kagawad Fortunato “Biya” Mariano Jr., accused Representative Bustos of directly threatening him during a political caucus in Barangay Sta. Cruz.
Bustos allegedly said: “Lalo na ikaw, Biya, tandaan mo, may sorpresa ako sa’yo hanggang May 12, May 13, tandaan mo.”
The incident was reportedly captured on video and presented to SunStar Pampanga.
Bondoc said that placing the three towns under Comelec control would help ensure the holding of peaceful, and credible elections.
Lawyer Lydia Pangilinan, Provincial Election Supervisor, on Tuesday said that a decision on Bondoc’s request has yet to be issued.
She said that the Regional Joint Security Control Center is set to convene to assess the severity of the situation in the concerned areas before making a recommendation to the Comelec central office.
Pangilinan’s statement contradicts that of Major Narciso Zingalawa, chief of police of Sto. Tomas, who earlier told CLTV36 that Bondoc’s request was denied.
SunStar Pampanga has reached out to Representative Bustos but he declined to issue any statement.