PANDI, Bulacan—A disqualification complaint before the Commission on Election (Comelec) was filed against a re-electionist barangay captain in this town due to alleged series of vote-buying incidents.
Manilyn Goc-Ong, a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Masagana filed the disqualification case on Friday against Masagana Barangay Capt. Francisco “Kikoy” Sandil.
Goc-Ong said in the petition for disqualification she filed that Sandil gave her P1,000 cash money on Oct. 22 including an alleged health card with her face, name and precinct number in exchange for her vote on Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Accordingly, the official promised to give her another P1,000 on the day of the elections.
She and several other residents in their barangay were allegedly first invited on Sept. 29 inside a warehouse of their barangay captain where each of them were taken of their respective pictures. They were also advised to be invited again to the said place.
On Oct. 22, when they were invited to the warehouse for the second time, they were surprised to receive the card with a QR Code allegedly from the barangay captain himself. Accordingly, the official told them that the QR Code in the card would confirm if she had voted for him during the election. “The ID issued to us contains a QR Code which according to them after scanning can verify whether we really voted for (respondent). We were convinced by them that they can verify whether we really voted for (Respondent Kikoy),” Goc-Ong said in her petition to disqualify the said candidate.
Assisted by a lawyer, Goc-Ong said such gesture of their re-electionist barangay captain is in violation of Comelec Resolution 10924 which is the General Guidelines and Other Related Rules and Regulations for the Oct. 30, 2023 BSKE and other succeeding BSKEs.
“It was explained to me by a lawyer that a candidate for barangay elections, who gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party” may be disqualified by the Comelec.
On Saturday, another resident appeared before a group of media and divulged the said alleged vote buying scheme of the said official.
He said they were invited to the warehouse of the barangay captain by batches of 50 where they were photographed, given P1,000 cash and promised to be given P1,000-P2,000 more on the day of the election.
“We come here to the open so that the illegal practice of our official will be put to end,’ the man whose face was all covered told the media.
Gina Llave, Pandi municipal election officer said she is waiting for a copy of the said disqualification charges which was filed directly before the Comelec central office.
Ong said the complaint was filed by their lawyer through electronic mail (e-mail) and sent directly to the Comelec national office based on the guidelines of the poll body.
Sandil was being contacted by NEWS CORE until at press time but has yet to answer the calls and reply to text messages. Goc-Ong sent Sandil a copy of the complaint through an express mail based on the guidelines of the Comelec.
The last day of campaigning is up until 12 midnight on Saturday, Oct, 28.
Col. Rey Apolonio, chief of police of Pandi said they have yet to receive such complaints of vote buying in Barangay Masagana. But he welcomed the move of Goc-Ong. “Bawal ang bumili at magbenta ng boto. Kailangan tapusin na kung ano man ang mga illegal na practice ng nakaraan na pagbebenta at pamimili ng boto kapag halalan. 1-6 years ang kulong ng mapatunayang magbenta at bumili ng boto,” he said.
But on Saturday, a complaint of another incident of vote buying, this time in Barangay Bagong Barrio was lodged before the town police station. The police arrested the barangay kagawad candidate who was allegedly involved in the vote buying incident.
Recovered from the said candidate was P35,840 worth of cash, DSWD General Intake Sheets and sample ballots.
