Manila mayoral candidate Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso denied on Wednesday, April 30, allegations of vote-buying, following the issuance of a show-cause order (SCO) by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The order stemmed from allegations that he handed out P3,000 in cash to public school teachers during an event on March 26.

The SCO was issued on April 24 by Comelec's Committee on Kontra Bigay, established through Resolution 11104, which enforces laws against vote-buying and vote-selling.

“At the onset, our client categorically denies the baseless allegations against him. Our client never handed out cash to the teachers in attendance in East Ocean Restaurant last March 26, 2025,” said Domagoso’s legal counsel, Atty. Maria Bernadette Sardillo.

“As can be seen from the photos attached to the SCO, our client was a mere speaker at the said event. In fact, aside from the baseless allegations against our client, no evidence has been presented to show that he actually gave cash to the teachers,” she added.

Sardillo explained that the activity was held on March 26, two days before the start of the 45-day campaign period.

She noted that he "cannot be held liable for any violation of the Omnibus Election Code as he was not yet a candidate."

Resolution 11104 defines vote-buying and vote-selling under Section 24 as “the act of giving, offering or promising anything of value in exchange for a vote.”

This definition goes beyond cash transactions and includes goods, services, or other favors exchanged for votes — or to influence others to vote in a certain way, or not at all.

The resolution also penalizes individuals who accept or solicit anything of value, either directly or indirectly, in exchange for influencing votes.