Disqualification charges vs. Laguna guv Hernandez, solon wife withdrawn

The four petitioners named in a disqualification petition filed against Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez and his wife, Laguna 2nd District Representative Ruth Hernandez,  disowned the charges lodged against the Eleksyon 2025 candidates.

On Monday, petitioners Ma. Lantes Greganda, Darren John Catalejo, Alena Nicole Dequillo, and Niño Greganda filed a motion to withdraw the petition through their representative, saying their identities were used “illegally and unlawfully” in executing the disqualification and abuse of state resources (ASR) charges filed against the Hernandez couple last Friday, May 2.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed for that the instant Petition against the respondents Ramil Laurel Hernandez and Ruth Mariano Hernandez be withdrawn for lack of factual basis and for being simulated and fictitious,” the motion reads.

On May 2, lawyers Ariel Rodovan, and Ana De Castro filed with the Comelec disqualification and ASR charges against the Hernandez couple in behalf of the petitioners over alleged vote-buying activities in Calamba.

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

The candidates were allegedly present at the event and election paraphernalia bearing messages campaigning for them were mounted at the venue.

“Due to the execution of the aforesaid pinagsamang sinumpaang salaysay ng pagtanggi at pagtatatwa sa reklamong salaysay, we move and pray for the immediate withdrawal of this petition filed using our names and identities as petitioners, clearly without our knowledge and consent,” the petitioners said in their recent motion.

Ramil, incumbent Laguna governor, is vying to succeed his wife, Ruth Hernandez, as the representative of the 2nd district of Laguna in Eleksyon 2025. Ruth, meanwhile, is aiming to replace her husband as Laguna governor. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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