8 others told to explain alleged poll violations

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered nine more candidates in the upcoming May 12 polls to explain alleged violations of election laws, including three prominent contenders for mayoral posts in Metro Manila.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed Thursday that the poll body’s Task Force Kontra Bigay issued show cause orders (SCOs) against the candidates following complaints of vote buying and misuse of government resources during their campaign activities.

Among those summoned are Manila mayoral aspirants Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Samuel Versoza Jr., as well as Caloocan mayoral bet Dale Gonzalo Rigor Malapitan.

Domagoso is being questioned over allegations that he distributed P3,000 to public school teachers, while Versoza reportedly handed out goods bearing the initials “SV.” Malapitan, for his part, was flagged for allegedly giving away PHP3,225.

In Quezon City, Julian Edward Emerson Coseteng, a candidate for the city’s 3rd District Sangguniang Panlungsod, was accused of offering PHP500 GCash prizes.

The list also includes candidates from other regions. Baybay City mayoral hopeful Marilou Baligod and House candidate Levito Baligod were both cited for alleged involvement in a raffle featuring prizes with their names and faces.

Other candidates who received SCOs are:

• Anna Kathrina Marcelo Hernandez (Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 4th District, Bulacan) — for allegedly giving away dish racks, electric fans, rice, and shirts;
• Jerry Jose (Sangguniang Bayan, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya) — for allegedly distributing hogs;
• Richard Kho (Masbate gubernatorial candidate) — for the alleged misuse of emergency alerts to publicize candidate names.

All nine candidates have three days from receipt of the notice to respond. Comelec warned that failure to explain within the deadline would be treated as a waiver of their right to be heard and may lead to formal election offense complaints or disqualification petitions.