Pangasinan clergy, lay leaders decry rampant vote buying

Various church leader-presidents in Pangasinan’s 6^th Congressional District called on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to act in dispatch on reports of “massive and rampant vote-buying” in at least 6 towns in that province.



In separate letters written and signed by Christian church leaders from Tayug, Umingan, Sta. Maria, Balungao, Rosales, and San Manuel addressed to COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, pastors raised their “great alarm and concern” over reports that some candidates are allegedly handing out P3,000 per voter to win votes for Monday’s polls.

Church leaders in the letters shivered to the “revolting to the senses but perplexing” vote-buying scheme, they said, adding, “the scale and amount alone… is not only revolting to the senses but perplexing.”  “But more alarming is how vote-buying destroys the moral fabric of our community,” they added.

Citing biblical teachings, the groups condemned the practice as immoral and unlawful, warning, “it undermines the integrity of public office and disillusions voters”.

They also questioned the absence of any arrests or visible enforcement efforts despite widespread reports of electoral misconduct, saying that “not a single apprehension has been made or concrete and effective action taken in order to prevent what is clearly illegal and immoral.”

“We do hope and pray that under your watch and guidance, the further deterioration of our country’s electoral system shall not prosper,” they added, invoking spiritual guidance for COMELEC officials.

Letters were signed by Pastor Renato S. Licuan, Tayug of Christ (Christian Church); Pastora Nora Salinas, Grace Evangelical Church; Pastor Servillano Tintero, United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Pastora Shiela Dela Cruz, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; Pastor George Manantan, Christian Baptist Church; Pastor Norman Caoile, Bethel Christian Church; Pastor Mercy Castillo, Bethel Christian Church; Pastor Cenon De Guzman, Teleo Christian Church; Pastora Romarie Dela Cruz, Church of the Nazarene; Pastor Jojo Mangaoag, True Vine Christian Church; Pastor Del Dela Cruz, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; Pastor Eugine Garabiles, Grace Baptist Church; Pastor Nicolas Secuya, Tayug Christian Vision Church; Pastor Mac Carganillo, Christ Power & Vision Church; Pastor Leandro Castillo, Jesus Christ Our Hope Church; Pastor Roque Castillo, Dunamis Church; Pastor Peter Nesperos, First Pentecostal Church, Carriedo; Pastora Daisy Nesperos, First Pentecostal Church, Carriedo; Pastora Nicole Mangaoag, True Vine Christian Church; Pastor Rey Navalta, Cabua-na PPHC; Pastora Anabelle O. Navalta, Cabua-na PPHC; Pastora Ritchilda Tintero, United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Rev. Fr. Rogelio N. Casiano, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Tayug, Pangasinan; Bishop Romeo B. Dela Cruz, President, Tayug Ministers Association; Fernan S. Mangcal, President, Servant Care Ministry Association, Umingan; Liwayway G. Madamba, President, San Manuel Evangelical Churches; Vic P. Disono, President, Association of Rosales Ministers and Ministries Inc. (ARMMI); Allan M. Castulo, President, Blessed Balungao for Jesus Ministerial Association, Inc; Edwin Rasalan Suguitan, President, Sta. Maria Ministerial Association; Pastor Joey Salinas, Grace Evangelical Church; Pastora Conchita Crumby, Assembly of God; Pastor Jaime Parungao, Tayug Christian Church; Pastor Willie Mallarie, Grace Evangelical Church; and Pastora Maria R. Mallari, Grace Evangelical Church.

In a April 29, 2025 letter of 6th District Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas to COMELEC, she urged swift action on alleged “open and blatant” vote-buying in her district that reached her office.

COMELEC though has yet to release an official statement on the allegations after its initial reaction that the concern raised by Rep. Primicias-Agabas is being probed.

The Omnibus Election Code punished vote-buying punishable by imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and loss of the right to vote.