Comelec receives 3rd vote buying complaint (Sabong News)
Author
Dhel Nazario
Date
APRIL 11 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) received on Monday, April 11 its third complaint regarding the alleged vote buying filed by a local candidate in Legazpi City, Albay.
Complainant Joseph San Juan Armogila, who is running for councilor filed a complaint-affidavit against incumbent Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, his wife Carmen Geraldine Rosal, as well as a fellow candidate for councilor Al Barizo and the incumbent City Social Welfare and Development Office of Legazpi City Marlene Manaya.
According to his complaint affidavit, Rosal’s wife is currently gunning for the mayoral post.
In the 28-page document, Armogila detailed that the respondents violated Sections a, l, b, o, and v of the Omnibus Election Code which includes the prohibited acts that would be categorized as election offenses.
In what was enumerated, it comprises of vote-buying and vote-selling; conspiracy to bribe voters; intervention of public officers and employees; use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign; and the prohibition against release, disbursement or expenditure of public fund.
According to the affidavit, this was in connection to a two-day cash assistance payout for tricycle drivers in the amount of P2,000. It also stated that the release of the cash assistance to the tricycle drivers and the senior citizens are in violation of the aforementioned provisions of the law.
“The ‘cash assistance’ was a consideration for the tricycle drivers’ support in favor of Respondents Barizo and RespondentS Spouses Rosal,” the complaint read.
“The messages as well as the facebook posts are manifest of the intention to influence, induce and corrupt the electorate in casting their votes in favor of Respondents Barizo and Respondents Spouses Rosal,” it further mentioned.
