Comelec orders Sheriff Abas to explain alleged vote buying; Abas decries 'fake news'

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COTABATO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show-cause order against its former chairman, Atty. Sheriff Abas, who is currently running for district representative in the first district of Cotabato City in the inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary elections, over his alleged involvement in a vote-buying incident.

The poll body took action after photos of Abas' sample ballots clipped with cash circulated on Facebook.

Consequently, Comelec gave the former official 24 hours to submit an official explanation.

Abas strongly denied the allegations in a social media post, asserting that the reports were merely part of a smear campaign.

"Walang lugar ang fake news at paninira sa halalan (Fake news and character assassination have no place in elections)," Abas wrote on Facebook.

He added that any formal complaints should be handled through due process and filed directly with Comelec rather than spread across the internet.

"Kung may alegasyon, idaan sa tamang proseso at sa COMELEC, hindi sa social media (If there are allegations, go through the right process at Comelec not on social media)," Abas wrote on Facebook.

"Suriin ang source. I-verify ang impormasyon. Huwag magpakalat ng hindi kumpirmadong balita. Sa halalan, katotohanan at respeto ang pairalin," the former Comelec chairman said.

(Check the source. Verify the information. Do not spread unconfirmed news. In elections, let truth and respect prevail.)

The BARMM is set to hold its first parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14, allowing voters to choose the representatives who will form the region’s first elected parliament.

The election marks a major step in the transition from an interim government through the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to an elected regional administration.

READ: BARMM 2026 Elections: History, key dates, candidates, and everything you need to know