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 over alleged vote-buying and misuse of government resources.
Among those named is Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who was directed to respond to allegations involving abuse of state resources during her campaign.
The Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay, led by Teopisto Elnas Jr., released the list of candidates facing possible election violations. Other mayoral candidates who received SCOs include Stella Quimbo (Marikina), Denver Christopher Chua (Cavite), Allan Martine de Leon (Taytay, Rizal), Erwin Pastrana (Mauban, Quezon), Rolen Pauline Jr. (Olongapo), and Romulo Avila, a vice mayoral candidate in Quezon province.
Also ordered to explain are Quimbo’s husband, former Representative Romero Quimbo, congressional aspirant for Marikina’s 2nd District; Zarah Rose Lara and Danilo Fernandez, gubernatorial bets for Cagayan and Laguna, respectively.
Additional respondents include Marvin Venus (Baras, Rizal); Kristofer Esguerra (Taytay, Rizal); Rhapsody Rivera (Cuartero, Capiz); and Ruben Talon, Butch Suspeñe, and Zake Derequito (Dumangas, Iloilo).
The party-list group Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc. (Kamalayan), along with private individuals Dr. Winfred Rivera and Jeren Jude Bacas, were also issued SCOs.
All respondents have three days upon receipt of the order to explain why election offenses or disqualification cases should not be filed. Responses are to be sent via email to the Comelec committee.
Lacuna expressed readiness to comply, stating, “We will comply with the Comelec’s show cause order as soon as we receive a copy because we believe in due process.”
She added, “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.”
Comelec warned that failure to respond would be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, possibly leading to formal charges.