Comelec panel junks vote-buying allegations vs. Camille Villar

The Commission on Elections' Committee on Kontra Bigay has accepted the explanation of senatorial candidate and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar on allegations of vote-buying hurled against her.

Teofisto Elnas Jr., vice-chairperson of the committee, said in a letter dated May 7 that Villar has satisfactorily explained the circumstances surrounding the reported act of alleged vote-buying.

“Upon evaluation of the evidence gathered, the undersigned deems the same insufficient to proceed to the filing of a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification,” he added.

In a press release, Villar welcomed the committee’s decision on the matter.

“I thank the Comelec for the timely issuance of this resolution, junking the complaint of vote-buying,” she said.  

“I assure everyone that I am running on a clean platform, pursuing only my advocacies that aim to make lives better for the Filipinos,'' she added.

The Committee on Kontra Bigay earlier issued a show cause order directing Villar to answer to the vote-buying allegations.

Elnas said they acted on an anonymous complaint, which contained a Facebook video posted on February 16 wherein Villar was seen on stage while local aspirants were allegedly raffling cash prizes to the public.

The Las Piñas representative said event happened on February 9, “which was way before the campaign period,'' which began on February 11.

She added that she was only a guest in the event.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

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