Party-list group accused of vote buying
(UPDATE) A DISQUALIFICATION case has been filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list group over allegations of vote buying. The petition, filed on Tuesday by Mataas na Kahoy Vice Mayor Jay Manalo, also sought the disqualification of incumbent CWS Rep. Edwin Gardiola. The complaint stemmed from "BarakoFest 2025" held in Lipa City, Batangas, from Feb. 13 to 15, 2025, where CWS allegedly conducted a "Last to Take Hands Off Challenge," awarding three brand-new Toyota Vios cars as prizes. Manalo, who is also running for governor of Batangas, pointed out in his petition that the CWS' awarding of three-brand new cars was in violation of the Omnibus Elections Code (OEC) because it constitutes an attempt to influence the voters, which is a clear act of vote buying. The CWS being a party-list group, he further said, is already covered by the 90-day campaign period leading up to the May 12 elections. The petitioner cited Section 261(a) of the OEC, which explicitly prohibits candidates and political parties from giving money or items of value to influence voters to support them. As additional evidence, the complaint includes a statement allegedly made by Batangas gubernatorial candidate Vilma Santos-Recto, where she reportedly said: "Ngayon, tatlong kotse ang ibinigay po ni Congressman... CWS 135." The statement added evidence that would prove that respondents violated the law against vote buying, an election offense punishable by disqualification and imprisonment, the petitioner said. The Omnibus Elections Code (OEC) and Republic Act (RA) 7166 set specific limits on how much candidates and political parties can spend during an election campaign. Under the law, candidates for senators, congressmen, local officials with no political party, may only spend a maximum of P5 per registered voter, and if supported by a political party, the limit is P3 per registered voter in the constituency. Independent candidates are also allowed to spend up to P5 per registered voter in their respective constituency. Political parties are allowed to spend P5 per registered voter in the constituencies where they have official candidates. This amount is separate from the candidates' own spending limits.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) A DISQUALIFICATION case has been filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list group over allegations of vote buying.
The petition, filed on Tuesday by Mataas na Kahoy Vice Mayor Jay Manalo, also sought the disqualification of incumbent CWS Rep. Edwin Gardiola.
The complaint stemmed from "BarakoFest 2025" held in Lipa City, Batangas, from Feb. 13 to 15, 2025, where CWS allegedly conducted a "Last to Take Hands Off Challenge," awarding three brand-new Toyota Vios cars as prizes.
Manalo, who is also running for governor of Batangas, pointed out in his petition that the CWS' awarding of three-brand new cars was in violation of the Omnibus Elections Code (OEC) because it constitutes an attempt to influence the voters, which is a clear act of vote buying.
The CWS being a party-list group, he further said, is already covered by the 90-day campaign period leading up to the May 12 elections.
The petitioner cited Section 261(a) of the OEC, which explicitly prohibits candidates and political parties from giving money or items of value to influence voters to support them.
As additional evidence, the complaint includes a statement allegedly made by Batangas gubernatorial candidate Vilma Santos-Recto, where she reportedly said: "Ngayon, tatlong kotse ang ibinigay po ni Congressman... CWS 135."
The statement added evidence that would prove that respondents violated the law against vote buying, an election offense punishable by disqualification and imprisonment, the petitioner said.
The Omnibus Elections Code (OEC) and Republic Act (RA) 7166 set specific limits on how much candidates and political parties can spend during an election campaign.
Under the law, candidates for senators, congressmen, local officials with no political party, may only spend a maximum of P5 per registered voter, and if supported by a political party, the limit is P3 per registered voter in the constituency.
Independent candidates are also allowed to spend up to P5 per registered voter in their respective constituency.
Political parties are allowed to spend P5 per registered voter in the constituencies where they have official candidates. This amount is separate from the candidates' own spending limits.
