In Laguna gubernatorial race, allegations of vote-buying fly

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Lawmakers Dan Fernandez and Ruth Hernandez are the subject of formal vote-buying complaints filed with the Comelec, but both candidates for governor deny the allegations

MANILA, Philippines – Two gubernatorial aspirants in Laguna are grappling with formal allegations of vote-buying, an election offense that carries with it the penalty of disqualification, if convicted.

Laguna 2nd District Representative Ruth Hernandez and Santa Rosa Representative Dan Fernandez have received show-cause orders from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in the wake of complaints against them lodged before the poll body.

The Comelec wants congresswoman Ruth, as well as her husband and term-limited Governor Ramil, to explain their alleged instruction to several leaders to “proceed to a certain office where health cards and yellow papers would be distributed and were indeed distributed with barcodes upon which they will receive P2,000.” On some occasions, the congresswoman allegedly delivered campaign speeches before the cash distribution.

The alleged vote-buying incidents took place on various days of April, according to the complaint.

Santa Rosa Representative Dan Fernandez, meanwhile, was accused of using public funds during the campaign period to distribute rice.

Both candidates vehemently denied the allegation.

In his reply to the Comelec’s show-cause order, a copy of which he provided to Rappler, Fernandez said the “pictures and uncorroborated testimony” were part of efforts to “derail, obstruct, and hinder” his candidacy.

He insisted that the rice distribution activity in question took place on March 19, before the election spending ban commenced.

“Because the video footage was doctored to the core, logic necessarily follows that no distribution event was held last April 14, 2025. It behooves to reason that since no rice-giving took place,” his letter to Comelec read.

Hernandez, meanwhile, said in a video statement that her opponents, without specifically naming anyone, were supposedly engaging in dirty tactics to damage her reputation.

“They want to have me disqualified for baseless and malicious reasons,” Hernandez added.

The two are in a four-way race to the capitol alongside former Laguna 3rd District representative Sol Aragones and Vice Governor Karen Agapay.

All are political heavyweights in the province and, except for Aragones, are being carried by major national political parties.

Aragones herself posted on Facebook, alleging that there were efforts to attach her name to vote-buying operations in the province.

“Warning: some people wearing ‘Sol Aragones’ shirts will pretend to be her staff, but they will engage in vote-buying and then get themselves caught so that Sol will be blamed. Fight fair!” she said.

– Rappler.com