Comelec issues 20 more SCOs for vote buying, abuse of resources

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued additional Show Cause Orders (SCOs) against 20 more candidates in the May 12 elections, including national and local officials accused of alleged vote buying and abuse of state resources.

Among those who received SCOs are Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu and other re-electionists like Hon. Eric Lopez Reyes, Hon. Victor Landicho Mitra, and Rep. Joey Briz.

The orders also target candidates running for various positions such as Joseph S. Tan (House of Representatives), Reynante A. Tolentino (Governor of Aurora Province), Christopher Sheen P. Gonzales (House of Representatives in Palawan), and others.

Earlier, Comelec issued SCOs to nine local candidates including Manila mayoralty bets Francisco Domagoso and Samuel Versoza Jr., as well as five other candidates accused of distributing prizes and goods during their campaigns.

Comelec's Kontra Bigay committee has now issued a total of 29 SCOs for alleged vote-buying activities, with all affected candidates required to respond within three days.