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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider QC gov't thanks SC for dismissal of vote-buying case vs Mayor Joy, 3 others

QC gov't thanks SC for dismissal of vote-buying case vs Mayor Joy, 3 others

Published Mar 29, 2023 10:35 am
The Quezon City government has expressed its gratitude to the Supreme Court (SC) after it affirmed the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) decision to dismiss the vote-buying complaint against Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and two others following the May 2019 elections .  “We thank the Supreme Court for finally putting an end to this issue. At the onset, the allegations hurled against Mayor Joy Belmonte were fabricated, politically motivated, and merely a last-ditch effort to taint her landslide victory way back in 2019,” Quezon City Legal head lawyer Nino Casimiro said.  The SC  cleared the city mayor, vice-mayor, Councilor Elizabeth Delarmente and television host Willie Revillame of vote-buying charges under the 261 (a)(1) of the Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 or the the Omnibus Election Code filed by PDP-Laban campaign manager Michael “Mike” Defensor and Secretary General Edwin Rodriguez. The complaint stemmed from an alleged vote-buying incident during a campaign rally of Belmonte’s party on Roosevelt Avenue in the city on May 11, 2019, where Revillame was allegedly seen giving out cash to the audience to allegedly induce them to vote the mayor and two other city officials.  Videos and photographs of the said event were presented by the petitioners (Defensor and Rodriguez), however, on June 17, 2020, the Comelec en banc dismissed the complaint for “insufficiency of evidence and utter lack of probable cause.” The Comelec said “the petitioners failed establish, by allegations or evidence, that vote-buying took place and that the respondents are guilty thereof.” It said that the three city officials admitted they were present during the event but did not give cash to those who attended.  It added that Revillame gave out cash and jackets for the attendees of his variety show (which is a separate event from the campaign rally) during the said day but denied that its purpose is for inducing his fans to vote for the city officials, who were candidates during the May 2019 local elections.  The SC dismissed the petition against Belmonte, Sotto, Delarmente, and Revillame, affirming the Comelec’s ruling. The decision was signed by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.  “Transparency, good governance, and adherence to the rule of law are the cornerstones of her [Belmonte] leadership — the primary reasons why Quezon City is where it is now,” Casimiro said.  Read more: [SC affirms dismissal of vote-buying charge in 2019 election vs QC Mayor Belmonte, 3 others](https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/28/sc-affirms-dismissal-of-vote-buying-charge-in-2019-election-vs-qc-mayor-belmonte-3-others)

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