The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Task Force Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) has issued a show cause order against Atty. Dan Neri Lim, a candidate for governor of Bohol, following allegations of election offenses.
The order, signed by Director IV and Task Force SAFE Head Sonia Bea L. Wee-Lozada on April 29, 2025, demands Lim to explain within three days why an election offense and/or disqualification petition should not be filed against him.
The accusations stem from two complaint-affidavits filed by Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado on April 15 and 24, 2025.
The first incident occurred on March 19, 2025, during Lim’s radio program “Barog Bohol,” where he allegedly made derogatory remarks about Aumentado’s undergarments.
“I just said ‘panty’ so that it would register in people’s minds,” Lim reportedly stated, according to the complaint.
A second incident on March 26, 2025, involved Lim claiming on the same program that Aumentado’s child was not fathered by her husband.
“There is one more thing that I will say. Your daughter should undergo a DNA test. If you really are the real father of that child. Oh, why would you spend… Why would Vanvan spend that big amount if you are the real father of that child? Why? This is true. You have three children. No. The father of that child,” Lim was quoted as saying.
COMELEC Resolution No. 11116, as amended by Resolution No. 1127, classifies such acts as possible violations under Section 3, which includes bullying, child abuse, coercion, and discrimination.
“Any person who, directly or indirectly, commits acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, child abuse, coercion, discrimination, use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, immoral doctrines, obscene publications, and more shall be liable for an election offense,” the resolution states.
Task Force SAFE has given Lim until May 2, 2025, to submit his answer or explanation via electronic mail at taskforcesafe@comelec.gov.ph or through registered mail to the Task Force SAFE office in Intramuros, Manila.
Failure to comply will be construed as a waiver of his right to be heard and may lead to the filing of appropriate cases against him.