The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) might summon Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla for handing out cash to people present at the campaign rally of Presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte - Carpio, a candidate for Vice President.
COMELEC commissioner Atty. George Garcia said that the poll body could subpoena Remulla if someone will file a formal complaint against the official for his actions during the event on Tuesday, March 22, at a covered court in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Remulla seeks another term as governor of Cavite in the 2022 national polls in May.
"Kapag kasi may formal na complaint, halimbawa, at iyan din ay may formal investigation, meron kasing ,ga tinatawag na sub poena at pagkatapos sila ay required na mag-submit ng kanilang counter-affidavit," Garcia explained on Wednesday, March 23, during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
"Kapag nag-submit ka ng counter-affidavit, ikaw mismo ang pumupunta, dumadalo dahil panunumpuan mo yung counter-affidavit na iyan sa harap mismo nung investigating officer," he added.
Netizens accuse Remulla of violating the prohibition on vote-buying after video clips of the event show that Remulla gave up to Php 5,000 to attendees who joined the dance and singing competitions prior to the arrival of Marcos and his allies.
The Omnibus Election Code defines vote-buying as '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.'
Violators of the Omnibus Election Code could face imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, as well as disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.