The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the disqualification case filed against senatorial candidate Camille Villar for alleged vote-buying.
In a one-page resolution signed by Teofisto Elnas Jr., vice-chairperson of the Committee on Kontra Bigay, the poll body said there was insufficient evidence to support the complaint.
“Upon evaluation of the evidence gathered, the undersigned deems the same insufficient to proceed to the filing of a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification,” the resolution read.
The resolution was dated 7 May, just four days before the May 2025 midterm elections.
COMELEC said Villar and her lawyers had satisfactorily explained the circumstances surrounding the incident cited in the complaint. The case stemmed from a social media post made on 12 February alleging vote-buying at an event in Cavite.
Villar’s legal team clarified that the event in question took place on 9 February, before the start of the official campaign period, and therefore not in violation of election laws.
COMELEC also noted that several affidavits were submitted by Villar’s camp to dispute the allegations and confirm the date of the event.
In a statement, Villar welcomed the decision: “I thank the Comelec for the timely issuance of this resolution, junking the complaint of vote-buying. I assure everyone that I am running on a clean platform, pursuing only my advocacies that aim to make lives better for the Filipinos.”