THE House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms today, January 28, launched an inquiry into allegations of massive voter registration in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.
During the hearing, resource persons Mayor Rolando Uy and Barangay Carmen Chair Joaquin Raneir Uy were absent, represented instead by their legal counsel, Atty. Allan Genoso.
The younger Uy cited scheduling conflicts due to a demolition operation as his reason for not attending.
Cagayan de Oro 1st District Representative Lordan Suan presented a video during the hearing in which Mayor Uy allegedly promised additional financial incentives for the 2025 elections.
The video, reportedly recorded during a November 6 flag ceremony following the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, has sparked concerns.
Lawyer Joel Dexter Nagtalon of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st District office confirmed a 44.4% surge in voter registrations in Barangay Carmen between October 2023 and September 2024.
This figure far exceeds the typical 3% increase observed in previous election cycles.
“We confirmed that there is a 44.4% increase in registered voters in Carmen during this period,” Nagtalon said.
Comelec Regional Director Atty. Renato Magbutay admitted awareness of alleged vote-buying during the 2023 barangay elections, citing reports from media sources. However, he noted that the specific cost of the alleged vote-buying remains unclear.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the video of Mayor Uy. It seems to have encouraged people to transfer their registration to Barangay Carmen, possibly contributing to the 44% increase,” Magbutay said.
Magbutay also disclosed that Comelec has formed an investigative panel to look into the alleged vote-buying during the barangay elections. The findings have been submitted to the Comelec en banc for further action.
Meanwhile, Task Force Head for the 2025 elections, Jose Nick Mendros, expressed alarm over the voter registration increase, describing it as unprecedented nationwide.
He recommended removing barangay certifications as a requirement for voter registration to prevent potential abuse.
Mendros revealed that 1,000 out of 22,844 voter registration applicants in Barangay Carmen were disapproved for failing to meet residency requirements.
“The task force urges Comelec to act decisively as it is concerning when local politicians allegedly manipulate voter numbers for electoral advantage,” Menros said.
However, Nagtalon emphasized that current laws, including resolutions recognizing barangay certifications as valid registration documents, limit their ability to deny applicants outright.
“The hands of the Comelec are tied. As long as barangay certification is presented, we cannot outrightly deny an applicant,” Nagtalon said.
During the hearing, Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong criticized the absence of Barangay Chair Uy, noting that a representative cannot adequately address queries specific to barangay operations.
Department of Labor and Employment-10 representative Sheila Lantaca, meanwhile, suggested that increased job opportunities in Barangay Carmen may also be attracting people to relocate.
Committee Chairperson Joseph Stephen Paduano ordered a show cause notice for Human Resource Head Xsyclyn Faith Lumbatan, who was absent due to a reported medical condition.
The investigation continues as lawmakers push for electoral reforms to address alleged irregularities and safeguard the integrity of future elections.
