Vilma Santos rival Ilagan files vote-buying rap vs. CWS party-list

A gubernatorial bet in Batangas on Tuesday filed a disqualification case against the Construction Workers' Solidarity (CWS) party-list over alleged vote-buying during a festival in Lipa City.

Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas Vice Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan, who is running for governor against former Batangas sixth District Rep. Vilma Santos, went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila to file a complaint against the party-list and its representative, Rep. Edwin Gardiola.

Ilagan said this was in connection with the recently concluded Barako Fest 2025, in which Gardiola allegedly gave away three vehicles as prizes to winning contestants.

“Ako ay nagpunta rito para formal na icomplain ang CWS party-list, represented by Cong. Edwin Gardiola, para sa violation ng vote-buying," Ilagan said.

(I am here to file a formal complaint against the CWS party-list, represented by Cong. Edwin Gardiola, for vote-buying.)

“Ang panawagan sa Comelec, kami ay tumugon sa kanilang panawagan, sana naman ang kasong ito ay mabigyan nang mabilisan aksyon para naman maiparamdam natin sa bawat Pilipino at maibalik natin ang respeto ng mamamayan, ng mga Pilipino, sa ating pamahalaan,” he added.

(I call for swift action on the part of the Comelec regarding this incident to bring back the Filipinos' respect for the government.)

In his complaint, Ilagan said the party-list violated Section 68 in relation to Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), which states that “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party”.

Evidence

Ilagan said among the pieces of evidence he submitted to the poll body are photos of the event as well as statements from Santos and the winners thanking Gardiola for the prizes. He denied his complaint is related to politics and the elections.

“Harap-harapan at…supported ng evidences na siya mismo ang nagbigay ng tatlong kotse bilang pabuya sa mga mananalo. Ito ay maliwanag na paglabag sa batas,” he said.

(It happened explicitly and this is supported by evidence. They were giving away three vehicles and that is a violation of the election laws.)

“Maraming pictures, electronic evidence na kasama sa finile na formal complaint sa CWS party-list…Naibigay po at nagpasalamat sa CWS ang lahat ng tumanggap,” he added.

(There are a lot of photos and  electronic evidence that we submitted to the Comelec.)

Gardiola, in a statement sent to GMA Integrated News, said they are unable to issue a comment on specific allegations as they have yet to receive a copy of the disqualification case.

"However, I want to assure the public that CWS party-list has always been and continues to be compliant with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations set forth by the Commission on Elections," Gardiola said.

“Rest assured, we will address these accusations at the appropriate time and in the proper forum,” he added.

In Sandra Aguinaldo’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the videos and photos Ilagan presented before the Comelec were like the ones posted on Santos' son and celebrity Luis Manzano’s Facebook account.

One of the videos showed that Santos was expressing gratitude to CWS for giving away vehicles as prizes.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Santos for comment.

Meanwhile, the Comelec refused to comment on Ilagan’s filing of the disqualification case.

Comelec issued a reminder that election candidates are prohibited from giving out prizes under the law to which it is abiding.

“The holding of talent shows, bingo games, and other similar activities that involve the distribution of prizes where the name of a candidate is posted, and if that is what happened to that case then that is already presumed to be a violation, in which case the burden is shifted to the respondent,” Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said.

Earlier this month, the Comelec said it will impose stricter measures to curb vote-buying, and vote-selling and prevent the abuse of state resources for Eleksyon 2025.

Meanwhile, the organizer of the Barakofest said they are responsible for all the prizes.

They also said the prizes were not handed out but were won by the contestants.

They added that the festival has many institutional partners yearly, including the CWS party-list. — with Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News

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