Comelec: No disqualifications yet amid alleged vote-buying in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez clarified Monday that there are no disqualifications yet amid the alleged vote-buying incident in Cavite.

“Sa ngayon, wala pong disqualification na magaganap,” Jimenez said when asked over Radyo INQUIRER for the Comelec’s stance on the matter.

“‘Yun kasi ang palaging tinatanong sa akin. ‘Disqualified na po ba agad dahil may nahuli?’ Hindi po ganoon ka-instant ‘yung proseso natin,” he added.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested 10 people Saturday for suspected vote-buying at Barangay Zapote 5 in Bacoor City.

The CIDG reportedly found “bundles of small brown envelopes” that each contained P200, amounting to a total of P75,800.

Authorities also seized P83,500 cash, a plastic bag with red wristbands and two white campaign shirts printed with “Tapat sa Bayan, Tapat sa Usapan Jonvic Remulla Gobernador and Jolo Revilla Bise Gobernador” and “Wow Pilipinas” at the back.

“Sa ngayon po kailangan natin hintayin yung resulta ng imbestigasyon na naganap doon. Unang una, wala naman kami doon sa pinangyarihan ng panghuhuli so again, umaasa tayo sa investigation,” Jimenez said.

“We expect talaga na may defend ang partidong inaakusahan so hindi na yan kakaiba sa atin pero kailangan, para maging fair tayo sa lahat, kailangan nating tignan. Baka naman totoo ‘yung paliwanag,” he added.

Meanwhile, Remulla denied that the cash seized from his and running mate Ramon Jolo Revilla’s supporters was meant to “buy” votes.

Remulla said the money was “transportation allowance” for his watchers going to a training in Cavite. /je

READ: Remulla: Cash seized from supporters is for watchers’ training