SCOs issued to local bets for election-related offenses

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), through its Task Force Kontra Bigay, has issued show cause orders (SCOs) to six mayoral candidates and 11 other local aspirants for alleged violations of election laws, including vote-buying and the misuse of government resources during the campaign period.

Among those named is Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, who is facing scrutiny over accusations of vote-buying and the improper use of public assets.

The Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay, headed by Commissioner Teopisto Elnas Jr., released a list of individuals issued with SCOs. In addition to Lacuna, the list includes mayoral candidates Stella Quimbo (Marikina), Denver Christopher Chua (Cavite), Allan Martine de Leon (Taytay, Rizal), Erwin Pastrana (Mauban, Quezon), Rolen Pauline Jr. (Olongapo), and vice mayoral aspirant Romulo Avila (Quezon province).

Also directed to explain their actions are congressional candidate and former lawmaker Romero Quimbo, Cagayan gubernatorial aspirant Zarah Rose Lara, and Laguna gubernatorial candidate Danilo Fernandez.

Other local bets receiving SCOs include Marvin Venus (Baras, Rizal), Kristofer Esguerra (Taytay, Rizal), Rhapsody Rivera (Cuartero, Capiz), and Dumangas, Iloilo council aspirants Ruben Talon, Butch Suspeñe, and Zake Derequito.

Party-list group Kamalayan ng Maralita at Malayang Mamamayan Inc. (Kamalayan), represented by chairperson Imee Reyes, along with private individuals Dr. Winfred Rivera and Jeren Jude Bacas, were also ordered to respond.

All respondents have been given three days from receipt of the SCOs to explain why no election offense or disqualification case should be filed against them. Responses must be submitted via email to the committee.kontrabigay@co.

Mayor Lacuna, in response, vowed to cooperate with Comelec.

“We will comply with the Comelec’s show cause order as soon as we receive a copy because we believe in due process,” she stated.

“The Comelec is rightfully and properly giving us the opportunity to respond to dispute and debunk whatever was put forward. We are ready to disprove and debunk,” she added.

Comelec emphasized that a failure to respond will be treated as a waiver of the right to be heard and may result in the filing of appropriate charges.