Imus, Cavite: The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has ordered senatorial candidate Camille Villar to explain her side regarding an alleged vote-buying incident during an event she attended in Imus, Cavite, in February.

According to Atty. Teopisto Elnas Jr., executive director of COMELEC and head of the Committee on Kontra Bigay, Villar was given three days from receipt of the show cause order (SCO) to explain why she should not be charged with an election offense or disqualified from the Senate race.

The SCO was issued to Villar on April 22.

Elnas said the commission acted immediately after receiving an anonymous Facebook link showing a video where Villar was seen on stage distributing cash prizes during a raffle.

The video was posted on Feb. 16. However, Elnas clarified that the committee is still investigating whether the event took place within the official campaign period.

Villar has denied the allegation, stating the event occurred on Feb. 9, before the campaign period officially began.

“I vehemently deny any allegation or insinuation of vote buying or commission of any election offense for that matter,” Villar said in a statement.

“I am confident that the COMELEC will clear my name of these wrongful allegations upon hearing my side on the matter,” she added.