DILG: 158 poll-related complaints filed with Comelec

A total of 158 complaints related to vote buying, vote selling and misuse of government resources during the campaign period have been lodged before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as of Friday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government reported.

- Christine Boton, Ghio Ong, Emmanuel Tupas

DILG Assistant Secretary Jesi Lanete said 16 of the complaints involve the distribution of financial aid or ayuda — an act presumed to be vote buying under Section 33 of Comelec Resolution 11104, which prohibits candidates, their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or known supporters from distributing aid during the election period.

Lanete urged all candidates to avoid engaging in vote buying, vote selling and the misuse of government resources, cautioning that such violations could lead to disqualification.

The highest number of complaints came from Region IV-A with 31 cases, followed by Region III with 30 and the National Capital Region with 24.

Comelec has since issued show-cause orders to 29 local candidates, requiring them to respond to complaints filed against them.