QUEZON CITY – Congressional candidate Jesus “Bong” Suntay and two city council aspirants have been formally accused of vote-buying through an alleged “networking scheme” ahead of the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.
The complaint was filed by civic watchdog group Quezon City Against Corruption (QCAC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department on Tuesday. It alleges that Suntay, along with councilor candidates Miguel “Migz” Suntay and Emmanuel “Kiko” Del Mundo, violated provisions of the Omnibus Election Code by participating in a vote-buying scheme disguised as a referral-based recruitment drive.
According to QCAC, the accused orchestrated a pyramid-style operation in which groups of eight registered voters were each given ₱1,000 per person in exchange for recruiting another set of eight voters, who were likewise encouraged to continue the cycle. The group described the scheme as a “vote-buying method cleverly masked as a networking initiative.”
Vote-buying is considered a serious offense under the Omnibus Election Code, carrying penalties of one to six years of imprisonment without probation, permanent disqualification from public office, and revocation of voting rights.
Jesus “Bong” Suntay previously contested the same congressional seat in 2022 but was defeated by incumbent Rep. Marvin Rillo, who currently serves as Lakas-CMD Vice President for the National Capital Region.
Following the complaint, QCAC held a press conference at Kamuning Bakery Café on April 8. Spokespersons Atty. Jess Falcis III and QCAC Chairperson John Paul Orate called on Comelec to investigate the matter thoroughly and take prompt legal action.