THE Supreme Courts has affirmed the Commission on Election’s decision disqualifying two candidates for the Sangguniang Bayan of Candijay, Bohol, in the 2025 national and local elections for vote-buying.
In a decision, the SC found no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Comelec when it disqualified Charina C. Bagor and Erlinda Curativo for violation of Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits vote-buying.
The SC held that the Comelec was able to establish that Bagor handed out valuable items in exchange for votes, while Curativo distributed money to influence voters to support her.
The Court stressed that vote-buying undermines free elections and must be ‘prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and [its practitioners] prevented from entering into public office.’
‘Vote-buying takes advantage of voters’ economic situation and keeps them dependent on whatever amount is given to them in exchange for their votes. It replaces the will of the voters with money and must be stopped,’ the SC added.
The disqualification case against Bagor and Curativo stemmed from the complaint filed by the then Candijay chief of police, Capt. Marvin A. Chin.
Bagor was accused of distributing food packs to several individuals in Candijay days before the election and asking them to remember her as a candidate.
Meanwhile, Curativo was accused of giving P 60,000 to a barangay kagawad (village councilman) with instructions to distribute P100 to each voter before the election.
The Comelec disqualified Bagor and Curativo under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code after finding substantial evidence of vote-buying.
Because they were disqualified, their proclamation as winning candidates was voided.