TWO candidates for the coming midterm polls in May were disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Based on the two decisions shared by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, it was learned that those disqualified were Matt Erwin Florido who is running for Quezon Province third district Congressman and Ronald Alarkon Rodriguez, a candidate for governor in Camarines Sur.
The decision from the Comelec First Division said Florido was disqualified due to vote-buying.
The 13-page Comelec resolution said that the petitionersm who are residents from the town of Buenavista were reportedly invited by Florido in a gathering in Catanauan last April 5 and 6 where they were given free food and transportation.
“Petitioners aver that the free transportation, meals, drinks, t-shorts, and P1,000.00 bill are clearly intended to induce and influence the voters’ choice and secure support…. The timing clearly illustrates a direct quid pro quo: an exchange of material inducement in return for electoral support,” the resolution said.
Florido, who is currently mayor of General Luna, denied the allegation and said the petitioners are campaign volunteers who freely and voluntarily conduct ground campaign for him without any remuneration or payment.
Florido said the P1,000 cash given to them was cash advance/operating expense to fund their expenses as volunteers, with the obligation of returning it should they not be able to spend the money.
The Comelec said there is enought evidence against Florido, stating:“In sum, the Commission (First Division) finds, by substantial evidence, the Respondent committed vote-buying meriting his disqualification under Section 68(a) of OEC (Omnibus Election Code).”
“Accordingly, the Commission (First Division) GRANTS the Petition to Disqualify Respondent MATT ERWIN V. FLORIDO as a candidate for the position of Member, House of Representatives, Third District, Quezon Province for the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections.”
In a separate development, the Comelec First Division cancelled the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Rodriguez for misrepresentation.
The decision stemmed from the complaint of petitioners who claimed that Rodriguez lied that he is a resident of Pamon Village, Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur for less than a year prior to election when he is actually a resident of Aeroville Subdivision, San Felipe, Naga City and still resides there.
The respondent denied this but the Comelec said he failed the meet the requirements for new or permanent residency when seeking election.
“The denial of due course to and cancellation of a candidate’s COC under Section 78 in relation to Section 74 of the OEC is premised on the ground that there was deliberate attempt to mislead, misinform and hide the true state of his residence, which would otherwise render him ineligible,” the Comelec said.
It added: “In light of the above discussions, Respondent, not having met all the requisites to effectively elect a new domicile of choice, deliberately indicated Pili, Camarines Sur as his domicile, when, in truth and in fact, he is still a resident of Naga City—his established domicile. Thus, by indicating Pili, Camarines Sur as his residence in his COC despite not being effectively domiciled therein, to make himself eligible as a candidate for Governor of Camarines Sur, Respondent committed material misrepresentation meriting the cancellation of his COC.”
““Accordingly, the Commission (First Division) GRANTS the Petition to Deny Due Course to the Certificate of Candidacy of Ronald Alarkon Rodriguez for Governor of Camarines Sur. Consequently, the Certificate of Candidac y of the Respondent is CANCELLED AND DENIED DUE COURSE on the ground of material misrepresentation under Section 74 in relation to Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code,” anang poll body.
