TWO disqualification complaints for alleged vote buying were filed against Quezon City congressional candidate Rose Nono Lin before the Commission on Elections yesterday.
Separate petitions for disqualification were also filed against Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez and his wife, Rep. Ruth Hernandez.
Ramil is running to replace Ruth at the House of Representatives, while Ruth is seeking to replace her husband as provincial governor.
In the first disqualification petition against Lin, she was accused of allegedly committing vote buying activities described as “systematic” and having “coordinated pattern.”
“On multiple occasions, from March 29 to April 21, 2025, Rose Lin’s supporters organized events where attendees, including petitioner Karen Altar, were systematically provided with free rice, cash, and campaign materials,” the petition read.
“The distribution of money and material considerations by Lin or her representatives during the campaign period appears to be systematic and targeted at influencing voters’ decisions,” it added.
In a separate petition, Lin was accused of not only vote buying but also of campaigning on Maundy Thursday.
To note, campaigning is strictly prohibited during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
“In effect, her campaign team transformed a solemn religious holiday meant for prayer and reflection into an opportunity for electioneering,” said petitioner Ligaya Sta. Ana.
“This coordinated act directly linked the giving of a benefit (refreshments to quench thirst in the summer heat) with an appeal for votes. In doing so, Rose Lin not only engaged in prohibited campaigning but also effectively offered material inducement to voters,” she added.
Lin is running for Congress to represent the fifth district of Quezon City.
Lin became known after she was to the controversial Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, which has been tagged for alleged corruption during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, Laguna resident Celito Baron accused Governor Ramil of allegedly abusing state resources and of engaging in vote buying acts.
In his petition, Baron alleged “voters were explicitly instructed that they would receive P2,000 upon surrender of the yellow paper bearing their identification barcodes, in direct exchange for voting for the respondent. This constitutes the promised delivery of cash.”
He also said that the government supposedly “caused the distribution of health cards bearing the official title ‘Provincial Government of Laguna, Governor R. Hernandez’ during the campaign period.”
He said the health cards, “clearly a government-issued material, were used in conjunction with the inducement of cash distribution to influence voters.”
In a separate disqualification petition, Baron accused Rep. Ruth of also allegedly committing vote buying acts.
“Respondent and their team leaders handed over a brown envelope containing cash amounting to P2,000, and a packed meal in exchange for securing their votes in favor of respondent Ruth Hernandez,” he said.
“The law treats vote-buying with utmost seriousness because it strikes at the very heart of democratic elections. It undermines the principle of free and intelligent casting of votes, and places undue influence on the electorate through monetary or material inducement,” he added.
On Wednesday, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they expect the number of petitions for disqualification being filed to increase as the May 12 polls draws closer.
