CWS Party-List Faces Disqualification Over Car Giveaway – Is This the Biggest Vote-Buying Scandal Yet?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

​In a significant development ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, the Construction Workers' Solidarity (CWS) Party-list faces a disqualification petition over allegations of vote-buying. The complaint, filed by Mataasnakahoy Vice Mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan, centers on a car giveaway event during the Barako Festival in Lipa City, Batangas.​

Allegations of Vote-Buying

The controversy stems from a "last to take hands off" challenge held at the Barako Festival, where participants vied for a brand-new car. Vice Mayor Ilagan asserts that the CWS Party-list sponsored this event, alleging it constitutes vote-buying. He has submitted video evidence purportedly showing the event, which he claims violates election laws. ​

Legal Framework

Under Section 26 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution on Kontra Bigay, distributing prizes, conducting raffles, or organizing games by candidates or parties can be deemed acts of vote-buying. This resolution aims to curb electoral offenses and ensure a fair electoral process. ​

COMELEC's Stance on Vote-Buying

COMELEC has intensified its efforts against vote-buying through the establishment of the Kontra Bigay Committee. This body is tasked with enforcing laws against vote-buying, vote-selling, and the misuse of state resources during elections. COMELEC Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. emphasized the committee's commitment to dismantling the culture of political patronage and ensuring that no candidate or party can subvert the will of the people through illicit means. ​

Implications for CWS Party-List

The disqualification case against the CWS Party-list underscores the stringent measures being implemented to uphold electoral integrity. If found guilty, the party-list could face disqualification, significantly impacting its political standing and the upcoming elections.​

Broader Context

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in Philippine elections, where vote-buying remains a pervasive issue. COMELEC's proactive stance, including allowing warrantless arrests for vote-buying and vote-selling offenses, reflects a broader commitment to fostering transparent and fair elections. ​

Conclusion

As the 2025 midterm elections approach, the case against the CWS Party-list serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adhering to electoral laws. It also exemplifies the efforts of both government officials and watchdogs in ensuring that the democratic process remains untainted by illicit activities.​

Colors in Bloom at SM: A Celebration of Culture, Art, and Tradition

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The spirit of Panagbenga 2025 has taken full bloom, bringing a vibrant fusion of art, culture, and tradition to SM City Baguio. More than just a festival of flowers, this year’s celebration showcased the creativity, history, and identity of the Cordilleras through dazzling performances, colorful installations, and immersive experiences.

A Tribute to Art and Legacy

One of the most striking tributes of the festival was a stunning lightning bolt artwork, carefully crafted from brilliant yellow and blue tile fragments. This masterpiece honored the late Baguio-based photographer and artist Kidlat de Guia, a visionary whose impact on Philippine art continues to inspire.

The Mighty Bhutens Art Exhibit was another highlight, featuring works by Kabunyan de Guia, Guiller Lagac, and Oliver Olivete. Inspired by National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, their playful yet profound pieces captured the heart of Cordilleran artistry.

Feast for the Senses: Food, Crafts, and Culinary Delights

No festival is complete without a gastronomic adventure, and Panagbenga 2025 delivered with the Food Truck Fest at The Drive. A haven for foodies, the event showcased mouthwatering creations from local MSMEs, highlighting the rich flavors of Baguio and beyond.

Complementing the culinary experience was the Food and Crafts Fair, which ran from February 17 to March 3. Artisans and entrepreneurs displayed handcrafted treasures, from intricate accessories to delightful local delicacies—making it the perfect stop for unique pasalubong.

Bringing Art to Life

The festival’s Painting Competition invited artists of all ages to immortalize Panagbenga’s beauty on canvas. Meanwhile, the Family Art Day fostered creativity and togetherness, as families painted and crafted their own Panagbenga-inspired masterpieces.

Students from different schools also took part in a sustainability-driven arts and crafts activity, repurposing past festival decors into new artistic creations, merging tradition with eco-conscious innovation.

A Celebration of Culture and Rhythm

The beating heart of Panagbenga 2025 was its cultural performances, where local groups such as Day Eng Cultural Group, University of Baguio BIBAK Ubbun Kaafuan, Paggawisan Tako Am-In from UP Baguio, and Gawis Culture and Arts Ensemble captivated audiences with their rhythmic music and traditional dances.

Meanwhile, the Blooming Weaves Fashion Show and Exhibit showcased the rich textile heritage of the Cordilleras, featuring masterful creations from the Fashion Designers Alliance Cordillera. This spectacular display blended indigenous weaving techniques—like backstrap weaving, pedal loom weaving, and ikat dyeing—with modern sustainable fashion.

Adding to the immersive cultural experience, master weaver Cathy Ekid from Bontoc led a weaving workshop, sharing the intricacies of traditional weaving and allowing mall-goers to try their hand at the craft.

Paw-some Moments and Community Spirit

Panagbenga 2025 also made room for its furriest festival-goers with Pawstival, a fun-filled event where pet lovers and their furry friends strutted their style in an exciting costume contest. This heartwarming gathering proved that the festival was truly for everyone—including four-legged companions.

A Grand Spectacle of Lights and Flowers

The festival reached its grand finale with the highly anticipated Grand Float Parade on February 23. Forty-four magnificent floats, each intricately decorated with floral artistry, paraded through the streets, leaving onlookers in awe. As a Hall-of-Famer, SM City Baguio presented a non-competing entry, embodying this year’s theme, Blossoms Beyond Boundaries, with a breathtaking design inspired by nature’s bounty.

The night sky then lit up with a dazzling fireworks display, while glowing floral and light installations turned the mall into a dreamlike wonderland, perfectly capturing the magic of Panagbenga.

Blossoming Beyond Boundaries

More than just a festival, Panagbenga 2025 at SM City Baguio was a celebration of community, creativity, and cultural pride. From visual arts to culinary delights, from heritage performances to contemporary fashion, the festival reflected the richness of the Cordilleras—honoring tradition while embracing new expressions of creativity.

With every stroke of paint, every beat of the drum, and every woven thread, the message was clear: the colors of Panagbenga will continue to bloom, uniting generations through the beauty of art, culture, and celebration.

#ColorsInBloomAtSM #Panagbenga2025 #BlossomsBeyondBoundaries

SM Cares: Strengthening Commitment to Renewable Energy Through Solar PV Expansion

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As global energy demands rise and environmental concerns become increasingly urgent, businesses have a pivotal role in driving the shift toward sustainable energy solutions. Leading the way in the Philippines is SM Supermalls, which continues to expand its adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across its properties. This initiative not only reduces its carbon footprint but also supports the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Renewable Energy Roadmap 2017-2040, which aims to boost the country’s renewable energy capacity.

Scaling Up Solar Power in SM Malls

As of February 2025, SM is in the final stages of implementing solar PV systems across 45 of its properties nationwide, with plans for further expansion. Among the most recent installations, SM City Bataan now operates a 4,060-panel solar PV system with a peak capacity of 2,376,000 kW, significantly reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

Likewise, SM City Tanza has integrated 2,286 solar panels, generating 1,257.30 kW peak solar power, reinforcing SM’s dedication to clean energy adoption.

By strategically incorporating renewable energy sources into its operations, SM is making significant strides in lowering greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining energy-efficient and cost-effective business practices.

Industry Recognition for Sustainability Leadership

SM’s renewable energy initiatives have earned widespread recognition from national and international institutions. Among the most notable accolades:

SM Mall of Asia (MOA) received the Sustainable Energy Award for a Private Institution at the 2024 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards, organized by the DOE. The mall’s 2.7-megawatt (MW) solar PV system can generate enough electricity to power 1,790 households for an entire year.

SM City Butuan won under the New and Existing Building category at the ASEAN Energy Awards 2024 Best Practices Competition for Energy-Efficient Buildings. The recognition highlights the mall’s commitment to energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) innovations in its design and operations.

Supporting the DOE’s Renewable Energy Goals

SM’s large-scale solar power adoption aligns with the DOE’s target of increasing the Philippines’ renewable energy installed capacity to at least 20,000 MW by 2040. Through this initiative, SM is not only cutting operational costs but also contributing to the country’s transition to a cleaner energy future.

Public-Private Partnerships: Driving Sustainability Forward

SM’s sustainability efforts are further strengthened through partnerships with solar PV providers under the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Distributed Energy Resources program. These collaborations define key project conditions, ensuring efficiency and adherence to national energy policies.

"At SM, sustainability is a commitment. Our growing solar portfolio demonstrates our dedication to a greener future for the Philippines, in partnership with the DOE and our valued partners."

— Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group, SM Supermalls

Green Heat Corporation, one of SM’s solar PV providers, also emphasized the long-term environmental and economic benefits of such initiatives:

“Together, we’re not just generating cost savings – we’re shaping a more sustainable future by supporting the long-term environmental goals of our partners while contributing to the Philippines’ green transition.”

— Glenn Tong, Director, Green Heat Corporation

A Blueprint for the Future

Beyond the environmental and financial advantages, SM’s solar PV initiatives serve as a model for other commercial establishments looking to integrate sustainability into their business operations. Through its continued investment in renewable energy, SM is demonstrating how public-private partnerships (PPPs) can drive innovation, create jobs, and build a more resilient energy sector.

DOE officials have also acknowledged the strong collaboration between the private and public sectors in fostering sustainable energy development:

“The DOE has implemented sustainable energy development strategies and institutionalized national and local capabilities, and we are heartened by the strong support we have received from both the private and public sectors.”

— DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara

Conclusion

SM’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainability is a testament to its role as a leader in green business practices. By continuously investing in solar PV systems, SM not only enhances its operational efficiency but also supports national and global efforts in reducing carbon emissions and fostering a clean energy future.

To learn more about SM’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.