Comelec to issue show cause order vs Camille Villar

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to issue a show-cause order (SCO) against senatorial bet Camille Villar over her supposed presence in an alleged cash raffle event in Imus, Cavite.

Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., head of the Committee on Kontra Bigay, on Tuesday said the SCO stemmed from an anonymous complaint to the committee, submitting a Facebook video wherein Villar was seen on stage while local aspirants were allegedly raffling cash prizes to audiences.

The video was posted on February 16 but Elnas Jr. said the anti-vote buying committee is still investigating if the event occurred during the campaign period.

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

“Ang Committee on Kontra Bigay ay magpapalabas ng show cause order against one candidate…Camille Villar,” Elnas Jr. said. 

This is the first SCO the poll body will issue against a national candidate for Eleksyon 2025. 

Under the SCO, Elnas Jr. said Villar will be directed to justify and explain why she should not be disqualified for the May polls. She will also be given three days to respond. 

“We will wait for the reply, or the answer, or the comment of Camille Villar on this within three days upon receipt,” he added. 

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.

If the event occurred within the campaign period for national candidates in Eleksyon 2025, the poll body said the activity could constitute vote-buying. 

“Tinitingnan natin na baka may instance na masasakop sa vote-buying kasi may nag-aabot ng pera, may tumatanggap ng pera sa okasyon,” Elnas Jr. said.

(We will look at the event and determine if there are elements of vote-buying.)

“Ito ay show-cause order lang para bigyan ing linaw, bigyan ng pagkakataon si Camille Villar na magpaliwanag, tungkol sa mga isyu,” he added.

(This is just a show-cause order because we want to give Villar a chance to explain her side.)

Villar denies

In a statement, Villar denied the allegation, saying the event happened on February 9, “which was way before the campaign period.”

“I vehemently deny any allegation or insinuation of vote buying or commission of any election offense for that matter,” she said.

“I am confident that the Comelec will clear my name of these wrongful allegations upon hearing my side on the matter,”  she added.

The campaign period for those running for national positions, including Senators, started on February 11 and will end on May 10 or two days before election day.

SCO vs local bets

Likewise, the poll body is set to release separate SCOs against two local candidates in the May polls. Of which, one is a mayoral candidate.

The Comelec has since issued SCOs against several candidates for violating their anti-discrimination resolution during the campaign period for the upcoming elections. —with reports from Anna Felicia Bajo and Llanesca T. Panti/KG/RF/BM, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.