Comelec orders Manila, Caloocan mayoral bets to explain alleged vote buying

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Election (Comelec) has ordered some of the mayoral candidates in Manila, Caloocan, and Malabon to explain their alleged involvement in vote buying.

Among those flagged was former Manila mayor Isko Moreno, who allegedly distributed P3,000 each to public school teachers. His fellow Manila candidate, Tutok to Win Representative Sam Verzosa, was also accused of handing out goods marked with his initials, “SV.”

Meanwhile, reelectionist Caloocan Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan was accused of vote buying and misusing government resources after allegedly distributing P3,225 at the Galino Covered Court.

Aside from the mayoral candidates in Metro Manila, Julian Edward Emerson Coseteng, a Quezon City 3rd District councilor bet, was accused of offering P500 GCash prizes, an act that is presumed to be vote buying.

Malapitan defends cash aid

Malapitan quickly addressed the vote buying allegations saying that the distribution of cash aid in the covered court is part of the city’s program “Agapay sa Manggagawa,” which he said was allowed by the Comelec.

Malapitan said that the program secured an exemption from the Comelec on February 7, 2025.

He said in a Facebook post on Thursday that this program has been running since 2022 with the aim “to provide livelihood opportunities for unemployed and underemployed citizens.”

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 11060, from March 28 to May 11, the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects is prohibited, except if authorized by the poll body.

Manila mayoral bets

In a Facebook post, Verzosa, who is also a businessman and a television host, said that he has been giving livelihood and assistance but it was before the official campaign period for local candidates which started on March 28.

This is evident in the photos and videos shared on his social media accounts, which show Verzosa delivering truckloads of rice and groceries. A mobile clinic bearing his name and face also roamed the city.

“It pains me that I can’t give medicine, food, or livelihood assistance to those asking for help because of the Comelec’s rule prohibiting the distribution of money and rice. I follow that rule because it is the law, and as a leader, it is my duty to comply,” Verzosa said in Filipino.

“All of us who aspire to serve in government must know how to follow the law and not be the first to break it — because if we win, we will also be the ones enforcing those very laws,” he added.

Shortly after learning that a show cause order would be issued against him, Verzosa also went live on Facebook around 3:30 pm.

He questioned why he was being accused of vote buying, claiming that the alleged distribution of money was actually taking place at the San Andres Sports Complex. He did not name who was behind the supposed vote buying incident.

In the comments section of his live video, Verzosa posted a photo of a sack of rice and a P1,000 bill inside a brown envelope, claiming these were being distributed to senior citizens. The sack of rice bore the label “Kalinga sa Maynila” along with the logo of Manila City Hall.

“Kalinga sa Maynila” is a program launched by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna in 2022 with the vision of bringing the services of the city hall closer to the public. The Comelec said on Thursday afternoon, that it would also issue a show cause order to Lacuna.

Lacuna’s spokesperson, Princess Abante, said that as of 8:05 pm on Thursday, they had yet to receive a copy of the show cause order, saying that the “allegations can be answered in the proper venue and forum.” – with reports from Michelle Abad/Rappler.com