Remulla: Cash seized from supporters is for watchers’ training

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna, Philippines — Former Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla on Sunday denied that the cash seized from his and running mate Ramon Jolo Revilla’s supporters was meant to “buy” votes for the May 13 elections.

In a text message to the Inquirer, Remulla said the money was instead “transportation allowance” for his watchers going to a training in Cavite.

“I am definite that there were no T-shirts and no sample ballots,” he added.

A report from the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon police office said 10 people were arrested for vote-buying at Barangay Zapote 5 in Bacoor City on Saturday.

Bundles of cash

It said the Cavite Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) responded to a complaint about vote-buying in the city, a known bailiwick of the Revillas, and found “bundles of small, brown envelopes” that each contained P200.

The cash in the envelopes amounted to a total of P75,800. Authorities also seized P83,500 cash, a plastic bag with red wristbands and two white campaign shirts.

The shirts were printed with “Tapat sa Bayan, Tapat sa Usapan Jonvic Remulla Gobernador and Jolo Revilla Bise Gobernador” and at the back, “Wow Pilipinas.” Wow Pilipinas is a party-list.

Lt. Col Ricky Neron, CIDG provincial officer, had yet to answers the Inquirer’s calls to clarify what charges, if any, they would file against the suspects.

The police report identified only one of those arrested as a certain Teresita Marjes.

Comeback

Remulla, who is seeking a comeback under the Nacionalista Party, said he had just come from a campaign rally in Barangay Zapote 5 when he learned of the arrest of “people associated with my campaign.”

He said that “in the process of distributing their travel allowance for next week’s training, they were raided and accosted and arrested with no charges.”

He said every candidate is entitled to having watchers on election day.

“We do not need to buy votes. We are comfortable with our standings,” he added.

Remulla is running against another longtime former Cavite governor, Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi of the Liberal Party. —Maricar Cinco