Three political candidates in Laguna’s 4th district are in hot water over alleged links to individuals recently arrested for posing as Comelec staff and NBI agents.

The candidates, two mayoral and one congressional, may face disqualification according to the Commission on Elections.

Laguna Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Patrick Enaje has yet to publicly name the candidates who have been issued a show-cause order.

However, Santa Cruz mayor and re-electionist Edgar “Egay” San Luis admitted to ABS-CBN News that he received a letter from Comelec requiring him to explain his alleged involvement in unauthorized election-related activities.

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 According to San Luis, he has already responded to Comelec and denied any connection to the three individuals who were arrested on May 5. 

The suspects were nabbed while inspecting automated counting machines (ACMs) at Silangan Elementary School in Barangay San Pablo Norte, Santa Cruz.

“Hindi ko po kilala ang mga taon 'yun at 'yun po ang inilagay ko sa aking sagot at pinaiimbestigahan ko na rin po. Ako po ay sumusuporta sa patas at malinis na halalan na isinusulong ng Comelec,“ said San Luis.

Meanwhile, Sta. Maria mayor and re-electionist Cindy Carolino said they only found out about the Comelec letter addressed to her husband—Atty. Antonio Carolino, who is running for congressman of the 4th district of Laguna—through social media.

Mayor Carolino said they are now preparing an official explanation to submit to Comelec.

“Hindi namin talaga kilala sila tapos that is already in Santa Cruz which is very far from Santa Maria,” she said.

Enaje revealed that they have information linking the arrested fake Comelec staff to the mayoral and congressional candidates.

“Nalilink namin kung sino ang mga tao na ito at sino ba ang may transaksyon dito bago nangyari itong mga pangyayaring ito,” Enaje said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo. 

Enaje also withheld the identity of the mayoral candidate in Pakil who is allegedly behind the group of six armed men arrested for pretending to be NBI agents. 

The suspects were arrested Thursday while pretending to investigate alleged vote-buying activities in Pakil.

 Enaje added that investigators have found direct links connecting the suspects to the mayoral candidate. 

“Katulad po doon sa kaso ng mga nagpanggap na NBI, natrace na po namin yung mga baril, nakita na namin ngayon kung kanino ito, kung sino may kaugnayan dito,” explained Enaje.

Comelec-Laguna also believe they have leads on who was behind the explosion of improvised smoke grenades at the provincial capitol extension office in Calamba City on Thursday, which occurred during a protest rally.

 Enaje said it is possible that a gubernatorial candidate is involved. 

Pekeng NBI agents, arestado sa Laguna 

He warned that if it’s proven that the politicians are behind the disruptions, Comelec will proceed with disqualification.

 “Lalong-lalo na po yung mga nangyayaring pagpapanggap ,tangkang panggugulo doon sa ating mga  presinto ay sigurado po hindi ho tatantanan  ng ating komisyon yan at kung manalo yan tutuluyan po yan idiskwalipika,” said Enaje.

Comelec said the situation in Laguna remains generally peaceful ahead of the upcoming elections.