Retired RTC judge, wife file complaint over vote-buying

By Jason B. Neola

A retired Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge and his wife have executed a joint affidavit and complaint specifying what they described as a “close encounter” with alleged vote-buying activities in a town in the 3rd district of Camarines Sur.

Spouses Paz Verdades “Doods” Santos and retired RTC Judge Soliman “Sol” Santos said the incident occurred on May 10, 2025, at around 5:00 p.m. when an officer of their village association arrived at their home and handed them identification cards labeled “Voters Education ID.”

Initially believing these were official IDs issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the couple noticed the cards bore the branding “Team One CamSur” and names of certain local political figures.

Soon after, Sol texted the officer to ask where the activity was taking place. The officer replied, “barangay hall but it’s finished.”

According to the affidavit, the couple went to the barangay hall to inquire further and was told by a neighbor that others had already received multiple cards and accompanying items. “What you got was the last one. Others got three already,” the neighbor allegedly said.

Another neighbor later informed the couple that the “Voters Education ID” cards were being surrendered to a barangay official in exchange for cash. “Her husband and others had already received something,” the couple said in their statement.

At the barangay hall, the couple inquired with a female official about the so-called voter’s education activity. The official reportedly smiled and dismissed the matter, saying, “It was just a small favor from the mayor. But it is up to you if you will get it or not.” Judge Sol responded by warning her that what was happening constituted vote-buying, a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment of up to six years.

“I admit I got on my high horse and gave a lecture on vote-buying. But I also said I understand why people would accept the cash because of their need,” the retired judge recounted. The barangay official allegedly replied, “Yes, indeed. But everyone is doing it.”

Sol, for his part, said he intends to file a formal case or at least report the incident to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

The couple said the barangay official pleaded with them not to disclose her name.

Judge Santos said the complaint was filed on May 11, 2025 in 2 copies with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines IBP Camarines Sur Chapter “Kontra-Bigay Complaint Center,” which will in turn provide the COMELEC Camarines Sur Provincial Election Supervisor with a copy. “We are also hereby filing the herewith electronic copies to the COMELEC Cam. Sur PES and to the COMELEC thru its Law Department, without prejudice to possible hard copy filing with the latter,” he said.

Under the Philippine election laws, vote-buying is a criminal offense that carries severe penalties for both givers and recipients.