SC upholds Comelec’s junking of cases vs QC execs

The Supreme Court has affirmed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) ruling that dismissed the vote-buying complaint filed against Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto during the May 2019 polls for lack of credible evidence. In affirming the poll body’s decision, the high tribunal dismissed the petition for certiorari filed by PDP-Laban campaign manager Michael Defensor and Secretary General Edwin Rodriguez, questioning the Comelec ruling. Defensor and Rodriguez accused Belmonte, Sotto, along with then congressional candidate Elizabeth Delarmente and TV host Willie Revillame, of violating the Omnibus Election Code for allegedly engaging in vote buying when Revillame gave cash to the crowd and endorsed the candidates during a campaign rally before the elections.

—Tina G. Santos