By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(May 2, 2025) – A non-governmental organization on Friday filed a complaint against a congressional candidate in Quezon City for allegedly misappropriating the funds of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) during his term.
Quezon City Against Corruption (QCAC) urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue a show cause order against Bingbong Crisologo.
“Let us not allow such remarks to go unpunished and without consequences. Such a brazen admission against interest must be investigated and penalized lest such remarks by a former congressman promote impunity and distrust among the people,” said QCAC chairperson Janno Orate in the complaint.
He asked the Comelec to investigate the alleged malversation, graft and corruption, and plunder of the funds of TUPAD for possible vote-buying and other abuse of state resources.
“If Crisologo was serious in discharging his role as an elected public official and if he was innocent of any criminal participation, he should have filed criminal cases against his assistant who pocketed the money,” added Orate.
Crisologo has yet to comment on the matter, as of writing.
Section 261 of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code prohibits vote-buying, with violators facing imprisonment of up to six years, disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of the right to vote, among penalties.
Last October, Crisologo admitted that he let his assistant, whose identity remains unknown, distribute TUPAD worth P114 million to 20,000 beneficiaries or P5,700 each in 2019. Crisologo claimed that his aide pocketed the funds.
“Sabi ko i-distribute niya among sa mga nangangailangan,” said Crisologo. “Unfortunately, ‘yung assistant na pinagkatiwalaan ko, pinagkuwartahan naman niya.”
Crisologo has served as representative of the first district of Quezon City from 2016 to 2019 and from 2004 to 2013. He is running again in the upcoming midterm elections.
He was jailed after being convicted of arson in 1970. He was supposed to serve double life imprisonment but the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. granted him absolute pardon, leading to his release in 1980.
(PM)
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