The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to dismiss the vote-buying complaint filed against Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, among others in relation to the 2019 elections.
Congressional candidate Elizabeth Delarmente and television host Willie Revilliame were also cleared of the allegations.
The vote-buying complaint was filed by Bingbong Crisologo’s campaign manager Mike Defensor together with Edwin Rodriguez alleging that cash was given to the crowd and celebrities, including Willie Revillame who was invited to endorse candidates during a campaign rally in May 2019.
However, Comelec found the evidence presented to be insufficient to prove vote-buying, with the SC agreeing that there was no credible evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The respondents admitted to being present at the event but maintained that they did not give cash to attendees of Revillame’s program. Furthermore, the SC also noted that Revillame presented affidavits from five individuals who received his gifts, which further contradicted the complainants’ claims.
Ironically, Mike Defensor who filed the unsubstantiated allegations also lost the 2022 Mayoral election to the incumbent QC Mayor Joy Belmonte who won by a landslide.
Source: Inside Politico | #InsidePolitico | March 29, 2023