NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified six winning barangay officials, including a village chief, for vote buying during the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Ian Lee Ananoria, Comelec provincial supervisor, told Rappler on Thursday, January 2, that while vote-buying cases have been filed in previous elections, the recent decision against officials from Barangay Marcelo in Calatrava town was the first for Negros Occidental.
In a 17-page decision penned by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo of the Comelec 2nd Division on December 18, the poll body disqualified Marcelo barangay chairman Arnulfo Libodlibod and councilors Eddy Monterde, Joel Rosello, Prescila Patajo, Richard Diotay, and Elmor Marcelo.
Two other respondents, Jeremias Diotay and Hernani Cabugwas, did not win in the 2023 elections.
The decision leaves only two barangay councilors – Angelbert Gustaman and Ronald Villamor Sr. – in the village council.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed on September 27, 2023, by losing candidate for barangay chairman, Maximo Rezaga Jr., who accused the respondents of vote buying.
He alleged that the officials distributed 25 kilograms of rice and P1,500 cash assistance to 20 families affected by a fire at the Barangay Marcelo Public Market on September 23, 2023.
Vote buying is an election offense under Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), which prohibits giving money or material benefits to influence voters.
The respondents denied the allegations, and were proclaimed winners in 2023.
“All told. We are convinced that there is substantial evidence showing that respondents committed vote buying,” part of the ruling read.
The decision cited a provision in the election law and Comelec Resolution No. 10924 as grounds for disqualification.
Ananoria said his office delivered copies of the decision to the respondents and the Comelec Calatrava office before Christmas Day.
The respondents were given five days from receipt of the decision to file a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc. No motion has been filed as of this posting.
Ananoria said if the decision to disqualify is upheld, either the rule of succession will apply, or Rezaga may be proclaimed winner if Libodlibod’s candidacy is declared void from the start. – Rappler.com
