CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Complaints of vote-buying were filed today, April 8, by the Commission on Elections against reelectionist Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag, her husband Melchor, and one Julmar Mercado.
Docketed as Criminal Case No. 36748 (Election Offense Case No. 23-351 [VB]), the criminal case filed before the Regional Trial Court in Pampanga cited an incident within the premises of city hall on Oct. 17, 2023 alleging that then-candidate for Barangay Dolores chairman Melchor and candidate for kagawad Mercado engaged in distribution of cash during the payout for the sanitation program of Barangay Dolores.
Mayor Caluag was included in the complaint for “her presence and other acts related to the incident,” said Comelec-Region 3 assistant director Atty. Elmo Duque who identified one Alvin Garcia, a resident of Barangay Dolores, as complainant.
Based on the information sheet, the three are accused of violating Section 261(a)(1) of the Omnibus Election Code.
According to Duque, vote-buying and vote-selling carry a punishment of imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right of suffrage.
Calls to the Caluag couple remained unreturned as of posting time.
Punto! is open to get their side pursuant to their right of reply. Punto News Team/Photos: CLTV-36 page/Melchor Caluag FB page
