Isko Moreno denies vote-buying allegations

Manila mayoral candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday denied as “baseless accusations” the allegations he conducted vote-buying when he handed out  P3,000 cash to public school teachers at an event.

Domagoso made the remarks in response to a show-cause order (SCO) issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), directing Domagoso to explain why he should not be disqualified from the May elections for alleged vote-buying activities.

“At the onset, our client categorically denies the baseless allegations against him. Our client never handed out cash to the teachers in attendance in East Ocean Restaurant last March 26, 2025,”  lawyer Maria Bernadette Sardillo, legal counsel of Domagoso, said.

“As can be seen from the photos attached to the SCO, our client was a mere speaker at the said event. In fact, aside from the baseless allegations against our client, no evidence has been presented to show that he actually gave cash to the teachers,” Sardillo said.

Citing Pañera vs. Comelec, Sardillo also said the campaign activity was held on March 26 — two days before the onset of the 45-day campaign period on March 28, 2025 — and “cannot be held liable for any violation of the Omnibus Election Code as he was not yet a candidate”.

“Clearly, there was no violation to speak of on March 26, 2025,” she said.

Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which sets the rules and regulations for Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, scheduled the campaign period for the national candidates on February 11 to May 10. The campaign period for local positions will run on March 28 until May 10, 2025.

Last week, the Comelec Committee on Kontra Bigay issued SCOs  against several national and local candidates over alleged vote-buying. This includes Moreno who was allegedly seen handing out P3,000 to public school teachers. —KG, GMA Integrated News

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