Manila mayoral candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso denied on Wednesday that he had conducted vote-buying schemes.
He called the allegations “baseless accusations,” as he was suspected of handing out P3,000 cash to the public school teachers.
He made the statement in response to the show-cause order issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which told him to explain why he shouldn’t be removed from the elections due to the alleged issue.
“At the onset, our client categorically denies the baseless allegations against him. Our client never handed out cash to the teachers in attendance at East Ocean Restaurant last March 26, 2025,” Atty. Maria Bernadette Sardillo, legal counsel of Isko said.
“As can be seen from the photos attached to the SCO, our client was a mere speaker at the said event. In fact, aside from the baseless allegations against our client, no evidence has been presented to show that he actually gave cash to the teachers,” Sardillo said.
Referring to the case of Pañera vs. Comelec, Sardillo pointed out that the campaign event took place on March 26 — two days prior to the start of the official 45-day campaign period on March 28, 2025 — and emphasized that he “cannot be held liable for any violation of the Omnibus Election Code as he was not yet a candidate.”
“Clearly, there was no violation to speak of on March 26, 2025,” she said.
Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which outlines the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, designates the campaign period for national candidates from February 11 to May 10. Meanwhile, the campaign period for local candidates is set from March 28 to May 10, 2025.
Last week, the Comelec Committee on Kontra Bigay issued Show Cause Orders (SCOs) to several national and local candidates in connection with alleged vote-buying activities. Among them is Moreno, who was reportedly seen distributing ₱3,000 to public school teachers.