Vice gov faces disqualification case

BENGUET congressional candidate and incumbent Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe is facing a disqualification case filed by a private citizen for the use of government vehicles during his campaign.

In a two-page petition for disqualification dated May 2, 2025, the petitioner, who requested anonymity for security reasons, alleged that Felipe violated Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), particularly on the use of government vehicles for giving material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt voters.

The petitioner submitted photos of a white vehicle marked "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY" on the front passenger door regularly parked in front of Felipe's property in Baguio City. The petitioner also suggested that the marking was concealed by a magnetic signage bearing the phrase "Good Governance Benguet," rendered in the congressional candidate's signature color theme as candidate for congressman of Benguet.

It was also alleged that the vehicle's plate was changed from time to time.

Section 68 of the OEC specifies that any candidate who, in an action or protest in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court guilty of, or found by the Commission to have given money or other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions will be disqualified.

Based on the documents obtained by the petitioner, the vehicle is owned by the provincial government of Benguet as certified by the Provincial General Services Office which issued a Property Acknowledgment Receipt to Felipe.

The petitioner also asked the Comelec that Felipe's certificate of candidacy be canceled and declared null and void for performing prohibited acts, and that the votes cast for him should be counted or treated as stray votes.

On Sunday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said some 300 cases of vote buying and abuse of state resources were pending before the commission, adding that they expect more cases to be filed in the coming week before the May 12 polls.

Garcia also called on the public to report any incidents or violations of Comelec rules and guidelines, assuring citizens that it would be acted upon immediately by the Comelec.

"Just post the violations on social media. You don't need a sworn affidavit or a formal complaint, the Comelec will act motu proprio and file a disqualification case," he added.

Garcia reiterated his warning that the use of government vehicles and other resources is an abuse of state resources.

"Abuse of government resources is not limited to distribution of government funds. One might not be giving away cash or aids using government funds but using government facilities, that's a ground for a criminal case and disqualification," he said.

Garcia cited the case of a former governor, who was running then for vice governor, who used the printing press facility of the provincial government to print campaign materials for his benefit and the benefit of other members of his political party.

"Never use the resources and facilities of the government for campaign and political purposes. Abuse of state resources is punishable under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code," the poll chief pointed out.