Comelec disqualifies Cabuyao mayor for vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division has disqualified Cabuyao City Mayor Dennis Felipe Hain due to vote-buying during the 2025 midterm elections.

This disqualification resulted from a petition filed by incumbent Cabuyao Vice Mayor Leif Opiña.

Opiña accused Hain and the National Unity Party (NUP) of distributing P1,000 cash to residents during events tagged as 'Poll Watchers Seminars' in April.

Attendees were required to surrender their mobile phones and present voter's identification cards upon entry.

The Comelec division found that Hain provided 'something of value' with the intent to induce residents to vote for him, constituting vote-buying.

Although Hain denied the allegations and questioned the authentication of evidence, the Comelec ruled that Opiña's evidence sufficiently established the commission of vote-buying.