Cebu City mayor faces disqualification case over ‘hijacking’ aid distributions

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‘Allowing public officials to use the people’s money to influence the electorate harms the democratic process,’ complainant Analiza Pilunes Maglasang says

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s candidacy for the mayorship of the Queen City of the South faces a hurdle after a petition to disqualify him was filed before the Commission on Elections on Tuesday, May 6.

In a 26-page petition, a certain Analiza Pilunes Maglasang accused Garcia of committing election offenses by releasing and being present during the distribution of monetary medical assistance and relief goods to residents during the campaign period.

“Allowing public officials to use the people’s money to influence the electorate harms the democratic process,” Maglasang said in her petition.

Maglasang presented evidence and dates when the mayor had allegedly “hijacked” aid distribution events with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) and the city’s Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) for his campaign.

She said that on March 11, Garcia spearheaded the giving of sacks of rice to residents in Barangay Duljo-Fatima; on April 15, he gave a speech before recipients of monetary assistance to more than 50 beneficiaries of the Cebu City Hospitalization Assistance and Medicines Program (or CHAMP); and on April 28, the mayor led the turnover of an ambulance to Barangay Sudlon II.

Under Resolution No. 11060, the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects is prohibited from March 28 to May 11.

However, the Comelec allows exemptions, provided that elective officials and candidates are not present during the distribution of aid. 

Maglasang asked the Comelec to disqualify Garcia as a candidate for mayor and to nullify his election to office if he wins the election.

Fair warning

In a statement, Amando Virgil D. Ligutan, high-profile lawyer and one of the legal counsels for the complainant, gave a warning to candidates, especially government officials.

“We are deploying almost a hundred lawyers and paralegals all over city with only one mission in mind: to document and file cases of vote buying, which is now rampant here in Cebu City,” the lawyer said.

Ligutan told government officials to not use government resources to boost their campaigns for the elections.

“We will do everything we can to prosecute and have you disqualified. The full force of the law must be brought to bear on you,” Ligutan said. 

Garcia has yet to issue a statement on the issue. This article will be updated with his statement. – Rappler.com