Laguna’s political scene heats up as Governor Ramil Hernandez and his wife, incumbent Second District Representative Ruth Hernandez, face serious disqualification charges before the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The charges stem from alleged vote-buying activities involving the controversial use of provincial health cards.
On a dramatic move, four witnesses—Ma. Lantes Greganda, Darren John Catalejo, Alena Nicole Dequillo, and Niño Greganda—submitted a formal petition accusing the Hernandez couple of orchestrating vote-buying in the final days before the election. The complaint was filed last Friday at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila, through their legal counsel, Ariel Rodovan and Ana De Castro.
Rodovan revealed that the witnesses had firsthand accounts of the vote-buying spree that unfolded between April 24 and 25 in Cabuyao. According to him, the witnesses decided to come forward to ensure a fair election, having seen the alleged wrongdoing up close.
Central to the allegations is the supposed transport of Laguna residents, armed with province-issued health cards, via buses from a Cabuyao terminal to a warehouse in Calamba. There, each individual reportedly received P2,000 in exchange for their votes. The Hernandez couple was allegedly present at this event, which was also emblazoned with campaign posters supporting their bids—Ramil for a congressional seat and Ruth aiming to succeed him as governor.
Rodovan stressed the significance of the health cards in the scheme. “These provincial health cards are government-issued benefits for Laguna residents. Their distribution prior to the election was a deliberate tactic. Only holders of these cards were able to receive the cash payouts. This blatant use of state resources ties the Hernandez couple directly to abuse of government assets,” he said.
Adding weight to their claims, the petitioners submitted video footage capturing the alleged vote-buying. They also alleged that campaign-related shirts, food, and water were handed out during the event, further feeding into the accusations of systematic vote manipulation.
As of now, the Hernandez couple has yet to issue any statement regarding the serious accusations against them. The Comelec now faces the critical task of investigating these claims amid mounting public scrutiny and a call for clean, honest elections in Laguna.
With elections drawing near, this case could have significant implications on the political landscape of Laguna and beyond. Will justice prevail? Filipinos are watching closely.