MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday dismissed a claim that the P50-million donation from the Dasmariñas City government for its special elections is “legal bribery in broad daylight.”
In a statement, Comelec tagged as “fake news” a post of a Facebook page “Calabarzon Connect” which said: “LEGAL BRIBERY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT: ACTING DASMARIÑAS MAYOR THIRDY BARZAGA GIVES P50M TO COMELEC WHILE HIS MOTHER JENNY IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION.”
“The P50 million from Dasmariñas City Government is additional funds for the conduct of orderly and successful Special Elections,” Comelec said.
READ: Dasmariñas LGU donates P50M to Comelec for special elections
Last July 23, the Dasmariñas local government in Cavite donated P50 million to the Comelec for the conduct of the special elections in the city’s lone legislative district. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that the funds will be used for the honoraria of teachers that will serve as electoral board members on election day.
“The funds are not a form of bribery to influence the Comelec to manipulate the results of the special elections in Dasmariñas, Cavite,” Comelec added.
Comelec also emphasized that there is no legality in acts of bribery, noting that the said accusation contributes to dissemination of disinformation.
The Comelec will hold the special elections on August 29, 2026 after former lawmaker Kiko Barzaga was expelled by the House of Representatives last June 2 due to his “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.
One of the five candidates for the elections is incumbent Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria Barzaga, the mother of Kiko. /mr
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