Valeras trounced in Abra; frustration for Korean

Reelected south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco is seeking reconciliation with political rival Jonathan Guardo, a move seen as to open the door for the possible withdrawal of the criminal complaint that he filed against Guardo over alleged vote buying.

He also offered Guardo a job.

Cuenco, who was reelected to his third and final term, invited Guardo to cooperate with him and lend his expertise in the field of sports to the people in the south district by working with him as his sports consultant.

A few days before the election last week, two supporters of Cuenco in barangay Kinasang-an, filed a case for violation of the Omnibus Election Code against Guardo.

Josephine Apostol and Antonio Pelesco accused Guardo of promising money in exchange for votes cast for him and his party mates under Tribu Guardo.

Apostol and Pelesco, in their joint affidavit attached to the complaint they filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office, said that on May 2, Guardo and the members of his Tribu Guardo held a political rally in barangay Kinasang-an.

During the rally, Guardo, allegedly made a “direct and categorical” promise of monetary reward for all people present and said he will give them P5,000 each if they vote for him and his partymates.

Article 22, Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code states that, “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association or corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention could be held liable for vote-buying and selling.”   — Fred P. Languido/BRP