Pangasinan Candidate Gilbert Estrella Refutes Vote-Buying Claims
GILBERT ESTRELLA – The Pangasinan political candidate has firmly denied allegations linking him to vote-buying activities, stating that he is open to any investigation and has nothing to hide.
In a public statement released on Saturday, Estrella assured both the public and authorities that his office is ready to cooperate with any official inquiry regarding the matter. He emphasized that he has done nothing wrong or illegal.
The accusations surfaced after Pangasinan 6th District Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate alleged widespread vote-buying in her district. According to her, reports have reached her office claiming that Estrella’s supporters were involved in distributing ₱3,000 per voter in the towns of Rosales, Balungao, and Asingan. She also noted that while many are willing to file complaints, some are hesitant due to fear of harassment and intimidation.
Estrella, however, maintained that he is focused on positive campaigning. He explained that instead of engaging in personal attacks or spreading negativity, he chooses to show respect and be a role model—especially for the youth. He stressed that those who have held public office for a long time should lead by example, promoting fairness and integrity in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Comelec confirmed that it had received Primicias-Agabas’ letter and forwarded it to its Committee on Kontra Bigay, which investigates complaints related to vote-buying, vote-selling, and misuse of government resources. As of April 28, Comelec has issued 213 show-cause orders to national and local candidates—130 related to vote-buying and vote-selling, 67 involving alleged abuse of state resources, and 16 involving other types of complaints.
Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Estrella reiterated his trust in the legal process and remains focused on sharing his platforms with the public, hoping to earn their support through transparency and honest service.
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