Comelec committee drops possible vote-buying complaint vs Camille Villar

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The event in question, where Villar is seen in a cash giveaway activity in Imus, Cavite, happened before the campaign period started on February 11

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) committee against vote-buying has dropped the pursuit of a possible complaint against senatorial candidate Camille Villar over her presence at a Cavite cash giveaway activity that appeared political in nature.

On April 22, Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) ordered Las Piñas Representative Villar to explain why she should not be subject to an election offense or disqualification case after appearing at a raffle activity in Imus, Cavite with local candidates.

Cash was among the giveaways. Attached to the show cause order was a photo of Villar embracing an event participant on stage who was holding a wad of cash.

In Villar’s response, she denied buying votes, and said that the event in question happened on February 9 — two days before the national campaign period started on February 11.

She also said that she was invited as a “merely” a guest for AllTV’s promotional event. Villar’s family owns AllTV.

Based on existing election law and jurisprudence, Filipinos who are eyeing electoral seats are not yet considered candidates until the campaign period begins. Campaign rules only kick in then.

“The Committee on Kontra Bigay takes cognizance of your answer and considers it to have satisfactorily explained the circumstances surrounding the reported act of alleged vote-buying. Upon evaluation of the evidence gathered, the undersigned deems the same insufficient to proceed to the filing of a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification,” the letter from CKB vice chairperson Teopisto Elnas Jr. reads.

Courtesy of Comelec Committee on Kontra Bigay Secretariat

Villar is the daughter of the Philippines’ richest man Manny Villar, whose family has deeply embedded themselves in both national and Las Piñas politics. Camille is hoping to replace her mother Cynthia at the Senate, and join her brother Senator Mark Villar in the 20th Congress.

The Villars have also been subject to recent public controversy as one of their companies PrimeWater has emerged as an election issue among voters. Filipinos living in areas with PrimeWater as water concessionaire have reported poor service despite being charged high rates. – Rappler.com