The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received disqualification complaints against a congressional candidate in Quezon City and two local candidates in Laguna over alleged vote-buying and misuse of government resources.
Two separate petitions were filed Thursday against Rose Nono Lin, who is making a second bid to represent Quezon City’s 5th congressional district. She is accused of violating the Omnibus Election Code by campaigning on Maundy Thursday (April 17), a religious holiday.
One of the complaints, filed by Ligaya Sta. Ana, claims Lin’s team set up a tent near Nova Plaza Mall in Novaliches, where they distributed free refreshments and solicited votes from the public.
“Her team turned a solemn religious occasion into a platform for campaigning,” Sta. Ana stated, adding that the distribution of refreshments in exchange for voter support constituted material inducement.
Another complaint, submitted by Karen Altar, accuses Lin’s supporters of distributing rice, cash, and campaign materials between March 29 and April 21. Altar, who attended some of these events, said the handouts were systematically used to sway voters.
The petitions also referenced Lin’s past links to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a company embroiled in a corruption scandal during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Laguna, similar disqualification complaints were lodged against incumbent Governor Ramil Hernandez and his wife, 2nd District Rep. Ruth Hernandez, who are running for each other’s posts in the upcoming election.
Filed by private citizen Celito Baron, the complaint alleges that the couple distributed campaign t-shirts, food, bottled water, and envelopes containing P2,000 during a poll watchers’ orientation. They were also accused of using government-issued “blue cards,” or health cards, to win voter support.
Comelec has yet to announce its response to the petitions.