Comelec orders several local bets to explain alleged vote buying 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday issued show cause orders to several local election candidates to explain their side over allegations of vote buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) ahead of the May 12 midterm elections. 

The document from the poll body listed 19 individuals, which includes one partylist and two non-candidates. 

Among those in the list were Marikina 2nd district Representative Stella Quimbo, who is gunning for mayoral post in Marikina City, and her husband Romero Quimbo, who is seeking to return to the House of Representatives. 

Also issued a show cause order was re-electionist Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan. 

Sta. Rosa, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, who is running for Laguna’s gubernatorial race, is also being asked to explain.

Both Stella and Lacuna-Pangan are accused of vote buying and committing ASR. 

The other names who were issued show cause orders were: 

Denver Chua - Cavite City mayoral candidate 

Marvin Venus - Sangguniang Bayan member candidate in Baras, Rizal 

Ruben Talon, Butch Suspeñe, and Zake Derequito - Sangguniang Bayan member candidates in Dumangas, Iloilo

Zarah Rose Lara - Cagayan Province gubernatorial candidate 

Allan Martine de Leon - Taytay, Rizal mayoral candidate 

Kristofer Charles Esguerra - Sangguniang Bayan member candidate in Taytay, Rizal 

Erwin Pastrana - Mauban, Quezon Province mayoral candidate 

Rhapsody Miguel Riveral - Sangguniang Bayan member candidate in 2nd district of Cuartero, Capiz 

Winfred Rivera - not a candidate 

Kamalayan Party-list 

Jeren Jude Bacas - not a candidate 

Rolen Paulino, Jr. - Olongapo City, Zambales mayoral candidate 

Romulo Avila - Quezon Province vice mayoral candidate 

Aside from Lacuna-Pangan, the COMELEC also issued earlier show-cause orders to other Manila mayoral bets Isko Moreno Domagoso and Sam Verzosa.

GMA News Online is trying to reach out to the candidates on the list for their side.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

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