Tagbilaran City, Philippines — Two political candidates in Bohol are currently facing disqualification proceedings due to allegations of vote-buying, a serious electoral offense under Philippine law. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received separate petitions filed against Representative Edgardo Migriño Chatto, who represents Bohol’s first district, and John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, a candidate for the first congressional district. These legal actions were initiated on May 11, in the lead-up to the midterm elections scheduled for May 12, 2025.
The charges against Rep. Edgardo Chatto were brought forward by local residents Sylvia Nistal Matig-a, Vir Joshua Malubay, and Jose Pizarras Mascariñas. Their complaint, supported by attorney Mark Dave Josol, alleges that campaign materials, accompanied by envelopes containing P1,000 bills, were distributed with the explicit instruction, “Don’t forget the Congressman,” promoting Chatto’s candidacy. The petitioners referenced Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, condemning such acts as they compromise the integrity of democratic processes by using financial inducements to secure votes.
Similarly, accusations have been leveled against candidate John Geesnell Yap, brought forth by Sylvia Nistal Matig-a, James Manhilot Pizarras, Christopher Rollorata Lunzaga, and Melchor Bonhayag Tangcawan. The complaint alleges that monetary gifts ranging from P100 to P1,000 were distributed attached to campaign flyers, with a similar exhortation to remember Yap in the election.
In both cases, the petitioners argue that these actions represent a flagrant violation of electoral norms aimed at ensuring fair and free elections. Under Section 68 of the Election Code, candidates found guilty of such offenses face disqualification. As of now, Rep. Chatto has not issued a public response to the allegations. Yap, on the other hand, has indicated that he intends to release a statement following a review of the formal complaint.
