Comelec probes Laoag mayor over alleged vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), through its Committee on Kontra Bigay, has issued a Show Cause Order dated 8 May 2025 addressed to Laoag City Mayor and mayoral candidate Michael Marcos Keon in connection with an alleged vote-buying incident in Barangay 48-A, Cabungaan, Laoag City.

The action follows a report by The Ilocos Chronicle via Facebook, which stated that a supporter was arrested for suspected vote-buying. The committee also referenced a separate report claiming that money was distributed in a private location, with cellphones reportedly restricted to prevent documentation.

The incident allegedly occurred at around 12:11 PM on 8 May in Barangay 48-B, where police arrested a 52-year-old barangay kagawad. According to a spot report from QRT-2 led by PCPT Rudy James Jacalne, officers found campaign materials bearing the names of Mayor Keon and a city council candidate, each stapled with P1,000 bills, displayed on a cashier table inside a store. While the suspect denied involvement, police arrested him after the materials were discovered in plain view.

Comelec cited potential violations of Section 261(a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 (Omnibus Election Code), as interpreted under Section 26 of Comelec Resolution No. 11104. The resolution allows the presumption of vote-buying when money or items of value are found attached to campaign paraphernalia.

At a press conference on Friday, 9 May, Mayor Keon addressed the issue, clarifying that his camp had not yet officially received the Show Cause Order and, therefore, could not respond formally.

“I am aware. I have already seen the Show Cause Order, and we are aware that it is circulating,” Keon said. “But until we officially receive it, we cannot respond formally.”

Keon also expressed concern over reports of a possible three-day curfew during the election weekend, warning it could be used to suppress voter turnout.

“We don’t see any reason to have a three-day curfew,” he said, pointing out that the 2022 elections only saw a one-night curfew. “A curfew is usually implemented if there’s a danger to public safety.”

He warned that curfews could lead to tactics like voters being brought to undisclosed locations and held overnight, or marked with indelible ink to make it appear they had already voted, only to be paid not to vote.

“These are tactics that have reportedly been used in other parts of the country before, particularly in Mindanao,” Keon said. “We want to ensure this doesn’t happen in Laoag.”

Comelec has given Keon a non-extendible period of three days from receipt of the order to submit a written explanation. Failure to respond may result in a formal election offense complaint or disqualification.