4 candidates probed for illegal campaigning

DISQUALIFICATION cases will be filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against four candidates for allegedly violating the poll body's "no campaign" directive during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Sunday there were reports that the candidates were campaigning on social media."They will be investigated this week, that's for sure," said Garcia.A congressional candidate will also be included in the investigation for alleged vote buying.The candidate "allegedly distributed gift cards to voters," Garcia said.Also this week, the commission will act on around 100 pending vote-buying cases.Disqualification cases could also be filed against several candidates who had been issued show-cause orders (SCO) by the Comelec Task Force Safe.The task force had filed a disqualification case against Pasig City congressional bet Christian Sia for alleged violation of the poll body's anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.Prior to Sia's disqualification case, Solo Parents Party-list also filed an election offense case against him before the Comelec legal department for the same discriminatory offense against single parents.Task Force Safe issued a second SCO against Sia for alleged misogynistic remarks in a campaign sortie against his own female staff.Comelec said a separate petition for disqualification and election offense case will be filed against Sia if the task force finds enough evidence that he has also violated the Comelec guidelines against discrimination and fair election campaigning.At least six candidates have been issued SCOs, including four congressional bets and a candidate for mayor in Pasay City.Garcia said all disqualification cases will be resolved before the May 12 elections.Violation of Comelec's guidelines is also considered an election offense punishable by disqualification, imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.Garcia said an election offense has a five-year prescription period.A candidate with a pending disqualification case who wins the election will not be proclaimed by the Comelec.