Pam washes hands off pre-election survey cited in DQ case

Local

CEBU Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro denied allegations linking her to an online survey cited in a disqualification case filed against her before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

She asserts that she had no part in the post and branding the complaint as politically motivated.

Her legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that Baricuatro submitted an Ad Cautelam Answer cum Memorandum on June 19, 2025, despite not yet receiving an official summons from the poll body.

The filing was done, he said, “as a precaution,” citing the “far and wide publicity” the case had already attracted.

The disqualification complaint was filed by Katrina Kaye Kowalik on May 13, a day after the elections. The petition sought to suspend or nullify Baricuatro’s proclamation.

This is for allegedly violating provisions of the Fair Election Act (Republic Act No. 9006), specifically Section 5 in relation to Section 3, as well as Comelec Resolutions 11086 and 11117.

Kowalik cited a Facebook post shared before the May 12 midterm elections which showed Baricuatro leading with 82 percent.

The post lacked disclosures on who commissioned, paid for, or conducted the survey, a requirement under election laws.

Baricuatro’s camp maintained that she had no knowledge of the online post, nor did she approve or authorize its release.

Her lawyers also challenged the authenticity of the material cited in the petition.

“We categorically deny any involvement in the online survey,” her official answer read.

Topacio added that they only managed to secure a copy of the petition through their own initiative on June 16.

“We have compelling reasons to believe that the complaint was filed at the behest and instigation of the Garcia camp,” Topacio said, referring to outgoing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, whom Baricuatro defeated by a margin of over 342,000 votes in the recently concluded elections.

Topacio further described the complaint as “founded on mere conjectures and unprovable allegations,” claiming it was filed “for mere harassment rather than for legitimate or serious motivations.”

He pointed out that allies of Garcia had been publicizing the complaint during the canvassing of votes, which he said was a calculated move to undermine Baricuatro’s impending proclamation.

Baricuatro, who ran under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) Laban, garnered a total of 1,107,924 votes and was officially proclaimed governor on May 13.

Her camp emphasized that her landslide win was a reflection of the people’s will and should not be overturned by what they view as technical harassment.

“We are confident that the chair and members of the Comelec will prove true to their bounden duty of ascertaining what the voters really desire instead of substituting their judgment therefore,” Topacio said.

Aside from the disqualification case, Baricuatro’s election victory is also being contested through a separate election protest filed by Garcia, alleging machine fraud.

Baricuatro is scheduled to assume office on June 30, 2025, through an inauguration that will be attended by several national officials.(MyTVCebu)