Sual mayor: “We are still in the running”
FAKE NEWS SPREAD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“WE are not disqualified.”
Sual Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay, who is running for reelection in May, stressed this in a Facebook video posted on April 24 as news spread about a disqualification case filed against him and his team at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The disqualification case alleging vote-buying through the distribution of groceries and food items, filed by Michael Abata and Clifford Ibañez, was received by the Comelec in Manila on April 15, 2025.
It names Calugay, vice mayoralty candidate Maximo Millan, and councilor candidates Kenberly Edrosolan, Mherjie Osana, Gregorio Garcia Jr., Alexander Rigonan Jr., and Bong Garcia Jr. as respondents. The complaint cites violations of Section 89 and Section 261(a) of the Omnibus Election Code and COMELEC Resolution No. 11064.
In a Facebook video posted by the team, the mayor firmly denied the accusations, calling the complaint a smear campaign intended to mislead the public.
“Do not believe that we will be disqualified. Let us fight fairly,” Calugay said in Filipino. “Let us stop spreading false information on social media. We are not disqualified, and there is no reason for us to be,” he stressed.
Calugay, a retired police officer, assured residents of Sual that their campaign follows legal and ethical standards. “We know the law, and we will follow the law.”
Councilor and now vice mayoralty candidate Maximo Millan also spoke in the video denying any wrongdoing and stressing the absurdity of the accusation.
“They say we gave out food and groceries. If there’s a case filed against us, we’ll answer it… We are not disqualified. The Calugay-Millan Team will continue campaigning. We will not stoop down to our opponents’ level,” he said.
Councilor Alexander Rigonan Jr., who is also seeking re-election, dismissed the complaint as politically driven and highlighted the importance of due process.
As of this writing, Comelec has not released an official statement regarding the complaint that is now under preliminary review. (Eva Visperas)
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