The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to issue a show-cause order (SCO) to senatorial candidate Camille Villar in connection with her alleged presence at a cash raffle event in Imus, Cavite.
Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., who heads the Committee on Kontra Bigay, said Tuesday that the SCO was prompted by an anonymous complaint supported by a Facebook video. The footage reportedly shows Villar on stage while local candidates were allegedly raffling off cash prizes to attendees.
Although the video was posted on February 16, Elnas said the committee is still verifying whether the event took place during the official campaign period.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which outlines the implementing rules of the Fair Elections Act (Republic Act No. 9006), the campaign period for national candidates began on February 11 and will run until May 10. For local candidates, the period started on March 28 and also ends on May 10.
“This is the first show-cause order the Commission will issue against a national candidate for Eleksyon 2025,” Elnas said.
In a statement, Villar acknowledged the Comelec’s plan to issue the order but said she had not yet received any formal communication. She clarified that the event in question occurred on February 9, which she noted was before the official campaign period for national candidates.
Villar denied any wrongdoing, saying she “vehemently denies any allegation or insinuation of vote-buying or the commission of any election offense.” She expressed confidence that the Comelec would clear her name once she presents her side.
