The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Luzon Mayor Vilma Caluag was charged with criminal charges for alleged vote-buying during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
The case, docketed as Criminal Case No. 36748 (Election Offense Case No. 23-351 [VB]), was filed before the Regional Trial Court in Pampanga and received by the Office of the Clerk of Court on April 8, 2025.
Based on the information sheet, Caluag is accused of violating Section 261(a)(1) of the Omnibus Election Code.
The charge stemmed from an event held on October 17, 2023, at around 7 p.m. during the election period.
One Alvin Garcia reportedly filed a formal complaint before the Comelec regional office in connection with the allegations hurled against Caluag and two other candidates.
Based on the documents, Caluag allegedly held a campaign rally in San Fernando where cash payouts were distributed to residents of Barangay Dolores.
The same documents state that the event was attended by then poll candidates Melchor Caluag and Julmar Mercado, who delivered speeches and reportedly gave out P1,500 to each attendee.
The case was filed in connection with the October 30, 2023 Barangay and SK Elections.
As of this writing, no public statements were issued by Caluag regarding the charges.