(UPDATED) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday confirmed that show cause orders would be issued to Manila City mayoralty bets Isko Moreno, Samuel Versoza, as well as other local candidates to explain alleged vote buying.

Aside from the Versoza and Moreno, the Comelec Kontra Bigay committee also issued show cause orders against following: 

• Jerry Jose

• Richard Kho

• Levito Baligod

• Marilou Baligod

• Julian Edward Emerson Coseteng

• Anna Katrina Hernandez

• Dale Gonzalo Rigor Malapitan

Moreno said he has yet to get a copy of the order as of 3 p.m.

Comelec questions 20 more candidates over vote-buying allegations

Malapitan, for his part, the Comelec may have been referring to the "Agapay sa Manggagawa" program where they distributed P3,225 to beneficiaries at Galino Court in Caloocan.

The Caloocan City mayor claimed receiving exemption from the poll body to push through with the program.

"Nais ko pong linawin na ang nasabing aktibidad ay nasa ilalim ng ating regular na programang Agapay sa Manggagawa ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan at pinayagan ng Commission on Elections," Malapitan said in a statement. 

"Ang programang ito po ay nakakuha ng Comelec Exemption noong February 7, 2025 kasabay ng iba pang regular na aktibidad ng lokal na pamahalaan upang magtuloy-tuloy ang ating serbisyo sa mga mamamayan. Ibig sabihin legal at pinapayagan ang pagsasagawa ng Agapay sa Manggagawa."

Malapitan said the program began back in 2022 to help the unemployed and underemployed constituents of Caloocan.

The Comelec earlier this week issued show cause orders to senatorial candidate Camille Villar and other candidates over alleged vote buying.

ABS-CBN News is seeking comment from other candidates.

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