AFTER being formally accused of vote buying, Quezon City (5th District) congressional bet Rose Nono Lin is now facing a disqualification case at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In an eight-page petition for disqualification, petitioner Timoteo Salaguste asked the Comelec to disqualify Lin as she is allegedly engaged in vote buying activities as well as in conspiracy to bribe voters, both of which are considered election offenses.
“Based on the aforementioned facts, there is substantial evidence to support the disqualification of Respondent Lin based on Section 68 of Omnibus Election Code. There is substantial evidence to support a finding that Respondent Lin has given money or other material consideration to influence, induce, or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions,” said Salaguste.
“Wherefore, premises considered, Petitioner respectfully prays that this Petition for Disqualification be granted and that Respondent Lin be disqualified,” he added.
Salaguste, who resides in Barangay Gulod in Novaliches, Quezon City, claimed that no less than Lin herself has admitted to her vote-buying operations in an April 2, 2022 campaign rally in Barangay Kaligayahan.
He noted how Lin supposedly publicly told the crowd to just wait for her financial assistance as her “accomplices” are only being careful since it may cause her disqualification if caught.
“Based on her own words, she is fully aware of the illegality of her actions and that, if she continues her vote-buying, she will be disqualified. It is, therefore, only correct that she be disqualified,” said Salaguste.
The petitioner also claimed that the recent vote buying complaint filed against Lin has not stopped her from continuing her scheme since she and her allies allegedly only shifted their activities by conducting “house-based” operations.
“After the filing of several cases against Respondent Lin as reported to media, Respondent Lin changed her strategy and, instead, focused on conducting house-based vote buying operations at the houses of her coordinators,” said Salaguste.
Earlier this month, the Koalisyong Novaleño Kontra Korapsyon and the Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan ng Bagbag accused Lin and 16 others of engaging in a series of vote buying activities.
The vote buying case has been forwarded to the “Task Force Kontra Bigay” of the Comelec.
Lin is running under the Lakas – Christian Muslim Democrats party.
To recall, Lin is the corporate treasurer and an incorporator of Pharmally Biologicals Incorporated, the alleged sister company of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which cornered over P10 billion worth of pandemic contracts under the Duterte administration.
