The legal counsel of Councilor Jammaila Budac filed on Tuesday, May 20, an election protest against Mayor Emerson “Em Em” Luego due to alleged irregularities during the May 12, 2025, elections.
The election protest, with a prayer for the issuance of a precautionary protection order and issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction with TRO and damages, has been submitted to the Regional Trial Court Branch 57 in Mabini, Davao de Oro.
According to Budac’s lawyer, Atty. Mark Tolentino, the protest is pursuant to election laws, rules, and jurisprudence—primarily under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code—on the grounds of electoral fraud, misconduct, vote buying, harassment, electioneering, and other prohibited acts.
“We have filed a protest today due to irregularities during the election, such as vote buying, flying voters, and campaigning beyond the official campaign period—which supposedly ended last May 10. Some continued to campaign even on election day, especially those who are employees of the current Municipal Mayor,” Tolentino said.
The protest is asking the Regional Trial Court to nullify the proclaimed mayor and declare Kim Budac in his place.
Tolentino claimed that the camp of Budac has gathered strong evidence of illegal activities by Luego’s camp, including videos and photos of “ninja” voters who masked themselves while voting in various precincts. Tolentino also alleged massive vote buying during the election.
“Naay mga coupons nga ma-convert into cash (P1,500) nga gipanghatag nila,” the lawyer said.
Mayor Budac, meanwhile, explained that the protest isn’t only for her but for the majority of Mabinians who voted for her.
“Dili ni para sa ako, kundi akong gusto madungog sa tanan, labina dinhi sa Mabini, kay kabalo ko kung unsa gyud ang naa sa inyong dughan, labina sa inyo mga hunahuna,” she said.
“Pipila sa inyo nangutana ngano mao to ang resulta? Kining akong gibuhat para gyud ni sa inyo. Kay kami, naay mapakita nga video ug kana tinood gyud nga nahitabo sa election—ug kana akong nakatingalahan ngano kana ang nahitabo sa atong election,” Budac said, referring to the alleged irregularities committed by Luego’s camp.
Budac also called out the teachers and authorities for allowing a dirty election to emerge. “Pati mga maestra, police—sila na mismo ang nangunay para mahimong ing-ato kahugaw ang election sa Mabini. Mao nga ako, gusto nako na naa gyuy tingog ang katawhan, tungod kay ang pagboto, kini katungod sa katawhan,” she added.
Luego will be given five days to answer upon receipt of the protest.
Budac hopes that the truth shall prevail
