Comelec issues show cause orders to local candidates over alleged vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), through its Kontra Bigay Committee, has issued additional show cause orders against candidates in the 2025 Election race who are accused of vote-buying and misuse of government resources.

On Thursday, April 24, reporters received a document revealing that nine more candidates, including Manila mayoral contenders Isko Moreno and Sam Versoza Jr., have been asked by the committee to explain their alleged involvement in vote-buying and the improper use of public funds.

The following nine candidates are:

• Manila mayoral candidate Francisco Domagoso

• Manila mayoral candidate Samuel Versoza Jr.

• Caloocan mayoral candidate Dale Gonzalo Rigor Malapitan

• Julian Edward Emerson Coseteng, who is running for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (3rd District, Quezon City)

• Marilou Baligod, mayoral candidate for Baybay City, Leyte

• Lawyer Levito Baligod, who is running for a seat in the House of Representatives (5th District, Baybay City, Leyte)

• Anna Kathrina Marcelo Hernandez, candidate for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (4th District, Bulacan)

• Jerry Jose, candidate for the Sangguniang Bayan in Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya

• Richard Kho, candidate for governor of Masbate

According to Comelec Chair George Garcia, Task Force Kontra Bigay has directed the nine candidates to respond to accusations of vote-buying and the misuse of government resources during their campaigns.

Comelec reports indicate that Domagoso is linked to the distribution of P3,000 in cash to teachers, while Versoza is under scrutiny for allegedly distributing products branded with "SV."

It was also reported that Jose gave away live pigs to his constituents, while Malapitan allegedly distributed P3,225. The Baligods are accused of holding raffles with prizes featuring their names and faces, and Coseteng is said to have offered P500 GCash prizes. Kho reportedly used emergency alerts to publicize candidate names, while Hernandez is accused of giving away dish racks, electric fans, rice sacks, and shirts.

The candidates have been given a non-extendable three-day period from the receipt of the show cause orders to explain why they should not face complaints for election offenses or petitions for disqualification.