THE COMMISSION ON Elections (Comelec) took too long to act on election-related complaints, allowing two mayors from different localities to stay in power despite its decision to unseat them for major infractions provided under the Omnibus Election Code.
Ordered disqualified by the Comelec 1st Division is Cabuyao, Laguna Mayor Dennis Hain for alleged vote-buying during the May 2025 midterm elections.
Also disqualified is Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Suit for failure to meet the mandatory one-year residency requirement for local candidates.
POLL WATCHER SEMINAR
The issue against Hain stemmed from a petition filed by former Cabuyao Vice Mayor Leif Opiña, who accused Hain of distributing money to residents who attended a “poll watcher seminar” held in their business property.
Also named as respondent in the petition was Hain’s brother Richard, who was also a candidate for congressman in the second congressional district. The Comelec however opted to dismiss the petition since the respondent lost the congressional bid.
In its 19-page resolution promulgated Oct. 23, the Comelec division sided with Opiña, who showed photos and videos of people lining up in the establishment for a P1,000 cash and a sample ballot.
According to Comelec, giving out “something of value by a candidate satisfies the first element of vote-buying under Section 68 (a) of the [Omnibus Election Code], “with the intent to induce the residents of Cabuyao City to vote for him,” reads part of the resolution.
INDIRECT ADMISSION?
“Taking a hard look at the surrounding circumstances… it can be reasonably concluded, in accordance with the ordinary course of human nature, that Respondent Dennis is involved in the handing out of cash to influence and induce the residents of Cabuyao City to vote for him,” the document stated.
“Noteworthy is the fact that Respondent Dennis offered neither denial nor vehement objection over the allegations in the Petition that the gathering took place within the compound owned by him, that he was present at the time the distribution of the money occurred, and that he spoke before the residents of Cabuyao City to solicit their votes,” it added.
This means, according to the Comelec division, that Hain “effectively admitted” and that he had knowledge of the activity.
“We find that Respondent Dennis failed to overcome the presumption and the evidence showing that he committed vote-buying,” it read.
ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY
In the case of Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit, the Comelec En Banc ruled to disqualify and render her ineligible to serve public office for failure to meet the mandatory one-year residency requirement.
The en banc also said the mayor failed to establish that she is a resident of Barangay Tibag as prescribed under the Local Government Code and annulled her proclamation.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the Comelec en banc resolved, as it hereby resolves, to grant the motion for reconsideration filed by Amado de Leon and Jay-Ar Navarro dated April 21, 2025. The resolution of the Commission Second Division dated April 14, 2025 is hereby reversed and set aside,” it ruled.
“Consequently, Susan Areno Yap-Sulit is ineligible to be elected as Mayor of Tarlac City. Hence, her proclamation is hereby annulled,” it added while stating that the rule of succession will apply should the decision become final and executory.
TAKING LEGAL REMEDIES
In separate statements, Hain and Yap-Sulit hinted at taking the legal course in a bid to reverse the Comelec decisions.
Hain’s legal team said it would file a motion for reconsideration with the commission en banc, expressing confidence there would be a fair and thorough review of the case which would “ultimately vindicate his name.”
“Mayor Hain continues to faithfully discharge his duties as Mayor of Cabuyao City, focused on governance and public service, while allowing the proper legal remedies to take their course,” lawyer Paeng Palis.
Yap-Suit for her part said that she will exhaust all legal remedies to overturn the Comelec decision.
According to the local chief executive, she believes her disqualification would be ‘unfair’ to those who had voted for her Evan as she pointed out that “a technicality once dismissed cannot erase a mandate freely given.”
“Tarlac City is my home, my life, and my heart. Respect and uphold the people’s vote,” she enthused emphatically. (With reports from Tracy Cabrera)