Comelec dismisses vote-buying complaint vs. Occidental Mindoro solon, 6 others

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a vote-buying complaint against Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody “Odie” Tarriela and six other candidates who ran for various local positions in the 2025 elections.

The Comelec en banc upheld the recommendation of its Law Department to dismiss the complaint for lack of probable cause.

The complaint accused the respondents of violating provisions of the Omnibus Election Code against vote-buying and the misuse of government resources.

Also cleared were San Jose Vice Mayor Santiago Javier, Councilor Danilo Centeno, provincial board members Alex del Valle, Roderick Agas and Arneldo Argame, and Nathaniel Cruz, who lost his bid for office.

Radio broadcaster Radamalyn “Boy Kamandag” Cardoza filed the complaint over the candidates’ attendance at a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) aid distribution activity during a visit by the OFW Party-list to San Jose.

Tarriela had earlier denied the allegations, calling them a “politically motivated smear campaign” intended to undermine his candidacy.