The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show-cause order to Parañaque Second District Rep. Gus Tambunting, directing him to respond to vote-buying allegations. Tambunting, who is seeking reelection, was accused of organizing repeated activities involving the transport of individuals in vans to a building where they allegedly received cash and food packages.
The Comelec Committee on Kontra Bigay stated that photo and video evidence submitted with the complaint showed individuals entering the building and later emerging with packages, before being brought back to their original pick-up points. The alleged distributions reportedly took place in a privately owned building.
According to the complaint, the vans used for transport were seen parked in front of the building and were marked with campaign posters bearing Tambunting’s name. Comelec has given him three days from receipt of the order to explain why no election offense or disqualification case should be filed.
Under Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code, offering money or anything of value to influence a vote—whether directly or indirectly—is considered an election offense. The law imposes penalties of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and loss of voting rights. Tambunting has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
