The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered reelectionist Palawan 3rd District Rep. Abraham Mitra to explain why he should not be charged for alleged vote buying.
In a show cause order, the poll body's Committee on Kontra Bigay called out Mitra's posts on his Facebook page Baham Mitra Official on April 2 and 4, allegedly offering limited free tickets to the public for the movie “Sinagtala” at a mall in the province.
“It is the position of this Committee that the foregoing Facebook posts that you made constitute possible violation of Section 261(a) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), as implemented by Section 26 (b) of Comelec Resolution No. 11104,” committee vice chair Teopisto Elnas said in the order dated April 8 and made public on Friday.
Section 261 of the OEC classifies vote-buying and vote-selling as an election offense. This constitutes offering or promising something of value in consideration for someone's vote.
Violators found guilty of committing an election offense face up to six years imprisonment.
“An examination of the aforementioned 02 April 2025 Facebook post reveals that you, while being candidate for Member, House of Representatives, 3rd District, Palawan offered free movie tickets to the public for the movie Sinagtala. Likewise, on 04 April 2025, you posted in the same Facebook Page pictures showing you were present during the block screening of such a movie at SM Puerto Princesa along with your supporters and other individuals,” the committee said.
The Comelec gave Mitra three days from receipt to submit his explanation.
“You are hereby warned that failure on your part to comply with the Show Cause Order shall be considered as waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case/s against you,” it added. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
