Laguna governor Hernandez, wife face disqualification cases for vote-buying

Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez and his wife, Ruth Hernandez, are facing disqualification charges before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over alleged vote-buying activities.

On Friday, Ma. Lantes Greganda, Darren John Catalejo, Alena Nicole Dequillo, and Niño Greganda filed a petition for disqualification against the Hernandez couple for alleged vote-buying using the provincial health cards.

They were represented by lawyers Ariel Rodovan and Ana De Castro, who lodged the petition at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.

“Itong apat na witness, they are witness to vote-buying that took place in one week that culminated on April 24 and April 25 in Cabuyao,” said Rodovan.

(The petitioners witnessed the vote-buying incident that took place in one week from April 24 to April 25 in Cabuyao.)

“They had personal knowledge, and siguro nagising sila na they wanted a fair election; they decided to file this case,” he added.

(They had personal knowledge, and maybe they wanted a fair election, so they decided to file this case.)

Hernandez is running for representative of the second district of Laguna. His wife, the incumbent Laguna second district representative, wants to succeed him as governor.

According to Rodovan, the witnesses alleged buses with residents holding province-issued health cards were transported from a terminal in Cabuyao to a warehouse in Calamba, where they were handed P2,000 each.

Hernandez and his wife were allegedly present at the event, and election paraphernalia bearing messages campaigning for them was mounted at the venue.

“This was given days before the incident. Health card ito. Ibig sabihin, ito ay ginagamit ng mamamayan ng Laguna to avail of the benefits for health. Ito ay dini-distribute na. Ngayong eleksyon, naging prevalent ang paglabas kasi these are passes eh, hindi ka makakatanggap ng P2,000 kung wala nito,” said Rodovan.

(This was given days before the incident. These are health cards used to avail of the health benefits. The distribution became prevalent because it was used as passes. You cannot receive P2,000 without this.)

“This is an asset of the government kaya sabit din silang dalawa sa ASR (abuse of state resources),” he added.

(This is an asset of the government, so they are guilty of ASR.)

A video of the incident was among the evidence the petitioners submitted to the Comelec.

Meanwhile, Rodovan said the petitioners also alleged shirts, food, and water were distributed during the event.

GMA News Online reached out to the Hernandez couple for comment, but they have yet to respond. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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