In a surprising twist to the vote-buying allegations against former Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay, a key witness has now accused individuals from the camp of incumbent Rep. Marvin Rillo of coercion, scripting, and manipulation.
Allegations of Vote-Buying
The controversy first surfaced at a press conference on April 8 at Kamuning Bakery Café, where witnesses accused Suntay of engaging in a vote-buying scheme known as “Ako at Walo.” The scheme allegedly encouraged participants to recruit eight other voters, with payouts ranging from P500 to P1,000, supposedly distributed on various dates in February and April 2025. Witnesses claimed the initiative began with an orientation in October 2024 in Barangay Pinagkaisahan, where they received P1,000.
The group publicly denounced corruption and vote-buying in Quezon City, especially in the 4th District. Atty. Jess Falcis, legal counsel involved in the complaint, said they filed a case before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), citing precedent that without witness testimony, such allegations cannot prosper in court.
Witness Recants, Makes New Allegations
However, during a press conference at EDSA Eats on April 11, volunteer Malou Chua and witness Kevin “Angel” Roissing countered the earlier narrative. Roissing, who identified himself as a social media handler for Rep. Rillo, claimed he was coerced into participating in the press conference against Suntay and was provided with a script to follow.
He alleged that Atty. Falcis gave him P50,000 and forced him to stay at a Go Hotel under the pretense of threats to his life. According to Roissing, Falcis and others orchestrated the media narrative to frame Suntay and damage his reputation.
Roissing further claimed he was offered a sex reassignment surgery, which never materialized due to the Comelec’s election spending ban. He expressed remorse for his involvement, citing guilt and fear, and accused Falcis of threatening his life if he refused to testify against Suntay.
Allegations of Scripted Testimonies
Another witness, referred to as Ms. Abba or “Ms. Angel,” supported Roissing’s claims. She admitted that the affidavit and video evidence used to implicate Suntay were scripted and not based on her own statements. She claimed she was manipulated and used out of fear for her and her sister’s safety, asserting that key figures in Rillo’s camp orchestrated the scheme.
Atty. Spocky Farolan, legal counsel for Chua and others, confirmed that Ms. Abba had submitted a sworn statement and a USB containing the real events to the Comelec Law Department. He emphasized that political motives must be set aside to prioritize the safety and truth from witnesses like Ms. Abba.
Legal Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
Both political camps have filed charges against each other. Rep. Rillo has filed a case against Chua, while Janno Orate, a previous witness, has also filed a complaint against Suntay. Farolan called for Comelec’s immediate intervention to protect the integrity of the election process, especially in light of these conflicting testimonies.
Farolan added that while Suntay lost to Rillo in the 2022 elections, he has remained civil and continued projects benefiting the district. He warned that if such tactics undermine electoral integrity, it could have consequences beyond the upcoming May 12 elections.#
