The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued a show-cause order (SCO) against senatorial hopeful Camille Villar over alleged vote-buying activities in Imus, Cavite, as confirmed by the poll body’s Committee Kontra Bigay (CKB) on April 22.
COMELEC Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., head of the CKB, said the SCO was prompted by an anonymous complaint submitted to the committee.
The complaint included a video showing Villar, along with other local aspirants, allegedly raffling off cash prizes to the audience in Barangay Buhay na Tubig, Imus, Cavite.
“Mayroong isang kandidato, and at the same time, mayroong nabibigay, nag-aabot ng pera, parang raffle,” Elnas said.
“Nanalo sa isang raffle, tapos nag-aabot ng pera. Pero ‘yung isang kandidato na nandoon, na subject natin for the show-cause order, nandoon lang sa stage mismo,” he added, referring to Villar as the “candidate.”
The video was posted on February 16, but Elnas said they are still investigating whether the event occurred during the official campaign period.
COMELEC is also determining whether a candidate’s mere presence at such an event constitutes a violation of vote-buying laws.
“Ang Committee on Kontra Bigay ay magpapalabas ng show-cause order against one candidate—Camille Villar,” Elnas said.
This is the first SCO issued by COMELEC against a national candidate for the 2025 midterm elections.
Under the SCO, Villar is required to explain why she should not be disqualified from running in the upcoming May 2025 polls.
“We will wait for the reply, or the answer, or the comment of Camille Villar on this within three days upon receipt,” Elnas added.
A chance to explain
According to COMELEC Resolution No. 11806, the campaign period for national candidates is from February 11 to May 10, while for local candidates, it runs from March 28 to May 10, 2025.
COMELEC stated that if the event in question occurred within the campaign period, it could be deemed as vote-buying.
“Tinitingnan natin na baka may instance na masasakop sa vote-buying kasi may nag-aabot ng pera, may tumatanggap ng pera sa okasyon,” Elnas said.
He emphasized that the show-cause order allows Villar a chance to clarify the matter.
“Ito ay show-cause order lang para bigyan ng linaw, bigyan ng pagkakataon si Camille Villar na magpaliwanag tungkol sa mga isyu,” he added.
Villar refutes the claims
In her statement, Villar rejected the accusation, clarifying that the event in question occurred on February 9—prior to the start of the official campaign period.
“I vehemently deny any allegation or insinuation of vote buying or commission of any election offense for that matter,” she said.
“I am confident that the Comelec will clear my name of these wrongful allegations upon hearing my side on the matter,” she added.
