The Supreme Court has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) why Bohol provincial election supervisor Eliseo Labaria was not reassigned during the recent May 2025 midterm elections, according to former congressional candidate Atty. Jordan Pizarras.
Pizarras said he petitioned the high court after the Comelec central office ignored his request to reassign Labaria.
The Supreme Court has asked both the Comelec and Labaria to explain the decision, Pizarras said.
“There is a possibility of filing a complaint against Labaria depending on his reply to the SC,” Pizarras said.
Pizarras argued that election officers should be reassigned each election cycle to prevent bias, especially those who have remained in one area for extended periods.
COMELEC SILENT
The Bohol Commission on Elections office has not responded to findings by a European Union election observation mission that identified the province as an epicenter of vote-buying during the elections.
The EU delegation reported massive vote-buying in several areas, including Bohol, during their observation of the country’s electoral process.
Comelec-Bohol spokesman Rocco Lamanilao said provincial election supervisor Labaria remains in Manila and that the central office would likely issue statements regarding the EU observations.
SOCE
On the other hand, the Commission on Elections expects all winning and losing candidates to submit their statements of contributions and expenditures by June 11, 2025.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, all candidates — including those who lost, withdrew, or received no contributions — must submit notarized SOCEs to the Comelec by the deadline.
The statements must include itemized spending and contributions with supporting receipts, vouchers or official documents.
Party or party list treasurers may submit the reports on behalf of candidates.
Failure to comply may result in fines, and repeat violations could lead to disqualification from running for public office.
FR. GITGANO
A Valencia parish priest criticized election winners, saying 95% won through vote-buying rather than performance.
Father Darwin Gitgano said the prevalence of purchased victories “spells bad news for Bohol” and that money dictated voters’ decisions.
“There is nothing to celebrate because of the kind of method used by majority of politicians who bought their way to victory,” Gitgano said.
The priest, who has actively opposed vote-buying, said he filed charges against two candidates — one running for councilor and another for board member — at the prosecutor’s office.
Gitgano said an entire slate could face legal trouble if witnesses maintain their testimony, though some may be afraid to testify against the respondents.
He noted that moral reminders are meaningless without law enforcement and said his anti-vote-buying campaign aligns with Church teachings that encourage people to speak out and testify against electoral corruption.
“It is necessary to implement the law in order to assure clean and honest elections in the future,” Gitgano said.