Village polls turn into proxy war for 2025 in parts of Mindanao
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Judging from the vote-buying pattern set by the recent youth and village elections, Mayor Samuel Co said he would be retiring from politics in 2025, and would no longer seek a third term in office.
Co told reporters in a late-night press conference on Tuesday that he was dismayed at how voters seemingly chose the highest bidders during Monday’s polls that saw only 18 of 54 village slates that he backed winning the elections. The 36 others are identified with the camp of Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu.
Monday’s political exercise had turned into a proxy war by politicians expected to square off in 2025, hence the heavy investment for logistics and payoff.
In Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur’s provincial capital, P2,000 was the lowest amount offered to voters in exchange for support for a slate, per monitoring of the Inquirer. The highest amount was P5,000.
“By then (2025), the price [per vote] would be what? P5,000? Or P10,000? That’s too much,” Co told reporters.
Article continues after this advertisementHe said that if he would be a candidate in 2025, he could not imagine how he could raise the large amount needed to have a fighting chance.
Article continues after this advertisement“I think this (recent polls) is a sign for me to stop [my political career],” Co said.
Those elected based on vote-buying, he added, will not be able to govern well as they will be busy strategizing on how they can get a payback.
Based on the Inquirer’s monitoring, candidates allied with Yu had dominated many village races in Zamboanga del Sur.
Yu is widely expected to run for Pagadian City mayor in 2025 while his wife, Rep. Divina Grace Yu, will replace him as governor. Other family members are expected to make their political bids in other localities of the province.
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Payoffs high
In Cagayan de Oro City, the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said it observed fewer incidents of vote-buying compared to the previous political exercise but the amount of payoffs was staggering.
Nestor Banuag, local chapter chair of Namfrel in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental province, said they received reports of vote-buying in Carmen village, the city’s most populous barangay.
“The [incidents of] vote-buying now is minimal but the amount [offered] is huge,” Banuag said.
Over social media, the hashtag “#SanaAllCarmen,” “#SanaAll6k” on Facebook has started trending. The payoff in Carmen went as high as P6,000 per voter.
On Monday, former Vice Mayor Joaquin Uy, son of Mayor Rolando Uy, defeated businessman Agapito Suan, father of second district Rep. Lordan Suan, in the race for barangay chair of Carmen. Lordan Suan beat Joaquin Uy in the 2022 congressional race.
Banuag said that Namfrel could not file an election offense for vote-buying but was encouraging residents to file complaints in the Comelec.
Police Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., Northern Mindanao regional police director, said the Cagayan de Oro City police would investigate alleged vote-buying incidents in the city.
“All information given to us will be subject to confirmation, even after the election is over. The election protest will not end,” Layug said.
He said they were also monitoring social media posts. “We can use that [as evidence]. If there are laws violated, they will have to face it,” Layug said.
In Agusan del Sur, Rosario Mayor Jose Cuyos and former Mayor Jupiter Abulog personally rallied support for their respective bets.
After Monday’s polls, 10 of 11 village slates backed by Abulog won, boosting his chances in an expected mayoral comeback in 2025.
Voters in Rosario were reportedly offered between P1,500 and P2,000 in exchange for their support.
