Comelec flags Camille Villar for alleged vote-buying; scion issues denial

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called out senatorial candidate and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar over an alleged vote-buying incident in February, but acknowledged there would be no violation if the event occurred before the official campaign period.

Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., who heads the Kontra Bigay committee, said he signed a show cause order for Villar on Tuesday, April 22, following an anonymous complaint received the day before.

The complaint flagged social media posts showing Villar on stage during the distribution of cash and raffle prizes in an event in Imus, Cavite, alongside local aspirants.

“Tinitignan natin baka may instance, may – masasakop ito sa vote buying kasi may nag-aabot ng pera, may tumatanggap ng pera doon mismo sa okasyon na ‘yan,” Elnas said.

[Translation: We're looking into whether there might be an instance that could fall under vote buying, because there were people handing out money and others receiving it right at that event.]

Asked if Villar’s presence alone was enough to link her to the distribution of money and goods, Elnas said that is the Comelec’s initial presumption, placing the burden on Villar to explain her side.

The flagged posts included photos uploaded on February 16 and a video posted by Imus Mayor Alex Advincula on February 12—both within the official campaign period for national candidates, which began on February 11.

Elnas noted, however, that the Comelec is still verifying whether the event actually occurred on those dates.

“Baka nangyari ito December pa, nangyari ito before the campaign period so walang liability whatsoever,” he said.

[Translation: It might have happened as early as December, before the campaign period, so there would be no liability whatsoever.]

Elnas said Villar will be given three days to respond. She is the first national candidate to receive a show cause order related to alleged vote buying in the 2025 election cycle.

In a statement, Villar said she had yet to receive a copy of the show cause order as of Tuesday afternoon, but clarified that the event in question took place on February 9, “which was well before the campaign period.”

“I vehemently deny any allegation or insinuation of vote buying or commission of any election offense for that matter,” Villar said.

“I am confident that the COMELEC will clear my name of these wrongful allegations upon hearing my side on the matter,” she added.

The Comelec has consistently stated that individuals are not considered official candidates before the start of the campaign period - Feb. 11 for national posts and March 28 for local positions—and are thus not liable for campaign-related offenses during that time.

Villar is the daughter of former Senate President and House Speaker Manny Villar and last-termer Sen. Cynthia Aguilar Villar, who is vying for her daughter’s House seat, and sister of Sen. Mark Villar.