High-profile bets face DQ cases as May 12 polls near

Local

WITH only a few days left before the May 12 elections, a growing number of politicians are facing disqualification petitions and complaints before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other government bodies.

These include high-profile local officials from Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte.

Cebu Province

A lawyer based in Mandaue City, who requested anonymity for now, revealed plans to file multiple complaints against Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Represented by legal counsel Atty. Inocencio dela Cerna, the complainant intends to pursue cases for disqualification, usurpation of authority, and electioneering.

During a press conference in Cebu City on Thursday, May 8, dela Cerna explained that one of the complaints, specifically the disqualification case, is based on the governor's alleged failure to declare two ongoing Supreme Court cases when she filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

He said this could be a violation of election rules that require candidates to fully disclose any pending cases, especially those involving criminal or administrative matters.

He said Garcia will also face a complaint for allegedly refusing to comply with a six-month preventive suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Dela Cerna accused her of usurping authority by remaining in office despite the suspension.

Another possible complaint involves Sugbo News, the province’s media arm, which the complainant claims has been used for Garcia’s personal political promotion, violating rules on government-funded electioneering.

Garcia has not released a statement in response to the planned filings.

Tagbilaran City

Meanwhile, in Bohol, former Tagbilaran City mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II is also facing a disqualification case over alleged vote-buying.

Five residents from Barangay Bil-isan in Panglao lodged the complaint after a video surfaced on Facebook showing Yap allegedly promising P5,000 to voters and P20,000 to senior citizens during a campaign event on April 26.

The complainants submitted affidavits confirming they personally watched the video, which remains public.

They argue Yap violated Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code, which bans vote-buying. Yap, who is running for Congress under Team Abante Bohol, said he has not received formal notification but would respond once officially served.

Leyte Province

In Leyte, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez has filed multiple petitions with the Comelec against three candidates, including former justice Vicente Sofronio E. Veloso III, Matag-ob Mayor Bernandino G. Tacoy, and Albuera mayoralty bet Kerwin Espinosa.

Veloso and Tacoy were accused of making public statements that Gomez said incited fear and encouraged violence.

She cited a video in which Veloso warned that he could “kill” if provoked and another where Tacoy said that “blood will spill” in the coming elections if challenged.

Gomez also filed a separate disqualification case against Espinosa, who allegedly challenged her husband, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, to a gunfight during a Facebook Live video on April 30.

All three cases cite violations of Section 68(e) and Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code, as well as a provision under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Other cases

It can be remembered that recently, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and his runningmate Joey Daluz, both under the Kusug Panaghiusa coalition, now face separate disqualification cases.

Garcia is accused of using government resources for his campaign in violation of election laws, while Daluz is being charged for failing to remove illegally posted campaign materials.(MyTVCebu)