SANTA ROSA, Nueva Ecija
--Several individuals receiving P500 cash in envelopes were captured on video
after they attended the campaign rally of presidential candidate Bongbong
Marcos in the province on March 15.
Responding to the incident, Bongbong’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party said it abhorred the distribution of cash among attendees of their campaign sortie, organized by Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali.
“Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is a disciplined political party! We abhor such action! This is not a policy in our core values and principles,” Thompson Lantion, PFP secretary-general said.
The incident occurred outside the governor’s residence in Barangay Soledad, Santa Rosa, after Bongbong visited with his vice presidential running mate Sara Duterte and their senatoriables.
UniTeam senatorial candidates Loren Legarda, Larry Gadon, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Migz Zubiri, and Harry Roque were present.
Umali hosted the event, which was attended by some mayors, pastors, and residents.
He did not, however, made an outright endorsement of the Bongbong-Sara tandem.
In her speech, Sara cited the importance of Nueva Ecija as the rice granary of the Philippines, while Bongbong tried to persuade the audience through “unity,” their lives will improve.
The UniTeam candidates proceeded to hold a caravan from Cabanatuan City to Talavera, where they held another sortie.
Despite the rains, residents received Bongbong.
In Talavera, crowds gathered for the UniTeam rally.
They repeatedly chanted “Hindi kami bayad!” (We are not paid), while Bongbong delivered his speech.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Matias Umali said the provincial government was distributing financial aid to residents of two barangays on the same day a UniTeam rally was held there.
He gave the statement after footage of the distribution of envelopes, reportedly with P500 inside, after the campaign rally hit the news.
In a Facebook stream, Umali said in Filipino: "When [presidential bet Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara] visited my house, distribution of financial assistance to our constituents was also scheduled."
"Two barangays were scheduled [for distribution], and we said we should finish early because our visitors will arrive… We could not cancel giving financial assistance," he added.
Umali stressed they only have until March 24 to finish distribution of aid as the campaign season for local elections will start the next day.
Marcos Jr.’ s campaign manager Benhur Abalos Jr. and his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas have both denied knowing what the incident was about.
Umali explained that while the campaign season has already started for national bets, local candidates have yet to start theirs on March 25, so they were still working on distributing aid to residents.
“Because our aid distribution is continuous to the people… our protocol is we gather them in open public space, that’s what we do all over Nueva Ecija,” the governor said partly in Filipino.
GMA News which also reported the distribution of envelopes containing cash said Marcos planned a motorcade in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija going to Talavera. Umali also confirmed that the UniTeam intended a rally at Talavera town.
But, before this, Marcos addressed the people at the open grounds of the governor’s residence or Umali compound in Sta. Rosa where a stage was set up as seen in the video report. Marcos and Sara Duterte and UniTeam senatorial bets were also seen being praying over on stage.
GMA News said that after the rally, people remained outside the governor’s residence and were given envelopes. When asked about the cash, they said they did not know what the money was for.
Vote buying, or providing money or anything of value to a person to induce to vote for or against a candidate, is an election offense.
News 5 earlier reported that Elections Commissioner George Garcia said he would bring up for en banc deliberations the reported distribution of money in the UniTeam event.
Responding to the incident, Bongbong’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) party said it abhorred the distribution of cash among attendees of their campaign sortie, organized by Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali.
“Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is a disciplined political party! We abhor such action! This is not a policy in our core values and principles,” Thompson Lantion, PFP secretary-general said.
The incident occurred outside the governor’s residence in Barangay Soledad, Santa Rosa, after Bongbong visited with his vice presidential running mate Sara Duterte and their senatoriables.
UniTeam senatorial candidates Loren Legarda, Larry Gadon, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Migz Zubiri, and Harry Roque were present.
Umali hosted the event, which was attended by some mayors, pastors, and residents.
He did not, however, made an outright endorsement of the Bongbong-Sara tandem.
In her speech, Sara cited the importance of Nueva Ecija as the rice granary of the Philippines, while Bongbong tried to persuade the audience through “unity,” their lives will improve.
The UniTeam candidates proceeded to hold a caravan from Cabanatuan City to Talavera, where they held another sortie.
Despite the rains, residents received Bongbong.
In Talavera, crowds gathered for the UniTeam rally.
They repeatedly chanted “Hindi kami bayad!” (We are not paid), while Bongbong delivered his speech.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Matias Umali said the provincial government was distributing financial aid to residents of two barangays on the same day a UniTeam rally was held there.
He gave the statement after footage of the distribution of envelopes, reportedly with P500 inside, after the campaign rally hit the news.
In a Facebook stream, Umali said in Filipino: "When [presidential bet Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara] visited my house, distribution of financial assistance to our constituents was also scheduled."
"Two barangays were scheduled [for distribution], and we said we should finish early because our visitors will arrive… We could not cancel giving financial assistance," he added.
Umali stressed they only have until March 24 to finish distribution of aid as the campaign season for local elections will start the next day.
Marcos Jr.’ s campaign manager Benhur Abalos Jr. and his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas have both denied knowing what the incident was about.
Umali explained that while the campaign season has already started for national bets, local candidates have yet to start theirs on March 25, so they were still working on distributing aid to residents.
“Because our aid distribution is continuous to the people… our protocol is we gather them in open public space, that’s what we do all over Nueva Ecija,” the governor said partly in Filipino.
GMA News which also reported the distribution of envelopes containing cash said Marcos planned a motorcade in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija going to Talavera. Umali also confirmed that the UniTeam intended a rally at Talavera town.
But, before this, Marcos addressed the people at the open grounds of the governor’s residence or Umali compound in Sta. Rosa where a stage was set up as seen in the video report. Marcos and Sara Duterte and UniTeam senatorial bets were also seen being praying over on stage.
GMA News said that after the rally, people remained outside the governor’s residence and were given envelopes. When asked about the cash, they said they did not know what the money was for.
Vote buying, or providing money or anything of value to a person to induce to vote for or against a candidate, is an election offense.
News 5 earlier reported that Elections Commissioner George Garcia said he would bring up for en banc deliberations the reported distribution of money in the UniTeam event.
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