Comelec files case against barangay chair for issuing fake certs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed a disqualification case against Barangay Carmen chairperson Raineir Joaquin Velez Uy for allegedly issuing over 8,000 barangay certificates to non-residents, causing an unusual increase in voter registrations.

Uy is running for a seat in the House of Representatives and faces charges under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code.

An investigation revealed that the number of registered voters in Barangay Carmen surged by 44.41% from October 2023 to November 2024, with 37.60% using certificates issued by Uy.

Uy allegedly charged P50 per applicant and did not always verify residency claims, according to the Comelec complaint filed on Tuesday.

Comelec argues that Uy acted fraudulently to benefit his candidacy and has recommended disqualifying him from running for office.

Reelectionist Rep. Lordan Suan requested the probe into voter registration anomalies ahead of the 2025 elections.