SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
ZAMBALES, Philippines – A barangay chairman accused former Zambales governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr of massive vote buying in a complaint filed before the provincial office of the Commission on Elections on Sunday, May 12.
Noel Landero detailed in a sworn statement how he was allegedly visited by supporters of the former governor a day earlier to bring sample ballots and a box of P500 bills.
He said the bills amounted to a total of P169,500. Landero said it was obviously intended to buy votes.
Landero is the barangay chairman of Bato in the town of Palauig. He identified Ebdane’s supporters as Association of Barangay Chairman (ABC) President Eddie Aurelio and former Barangay Chairman Nel Rico.
He said the two looked for barangay officials Tony Alves and Johnie Anoba. They were handed the small box with the instruction, “Ito straight Ebdane (This is for a straight Ebdane ticket).”
Landero said they discovered the P500 bills when they later opened the box.
“Agad naming binuksan ang kahon, nakapaibabaw ang mga sample ballot ng buong tiket ni ex-Gov. Hermogenes ‘Jun’ Ebdane bilang governor at pababa sa kanilang mga kandidato sa pagka-Mayor hanggang mga Konsehal sa bayan ng Palauig,” Landero said in his statement.
(We immediately opened the box. It contained sample ballots listing the names of former Governor Ebdane and his allies running for mayor and councilors in Palauig.)
“Nang aming iangat ang mga sample ballot, laking gulat naming nang tumambad sa amin ang may dalawang bundle ng P500. Bukod dito, may laman din na mga brown envelope nang aming buksan ay may tig-P500 at flyer ng Marino Party-list,” he added.
(When we lifted the thick pad of sample ballots, we were surprised to see two bundles of P500. It also contained a separate brown envelope containing more P500 bills and flyers of Marino party-list group.)
Landero accused Ebdane and other officials listed in the sample ballot of vote buying, a violation of sections 261 and 262 of the Omnibus Election Code. – Rappler.com
Follow Rappler’s full coverage of the 2019 Philippine elections here.
Bookmark this Rappler page for real-time election results.
It will go live as soon as precincts close at 6 pm Monday, May 13.
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.