Vilma Santos

Re-electionist candidate Vilma Santos-Recto faces a disqualification case filed against her by opponent Armand Sanchez’s lawyer over the issue of alleged oversized campaign materials.

“Ito po ay higanteng billboard na kasing lalaki po ng mga bahay, kasing lalaki ng mga gusali at pinapalusot po nila na public service ngunit obvious na obvious po na ito ay para sa kandidatura ni Gov. Santos-Recto,” declared Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, who filed the five-page petition at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office last April 26, according to a GMANews.TV report.

The material allegedly exceeded the required size limit of campaign paraphernalia, which, according to Comelec Resolution 8758, is 2 x 3 feet for posters, and 3 x 8 feet for streamers.

Another news site reported that some of these billboards were alleged to have been illegally put up in areas such as the Barangay Hall and the Golden Coco Restaurant in Lipa City, as well as a police outpost in Balagtas.

Santos-Recto’s lawyer Sixto Brillantes dismissed the move as another desperate attempt from the rival group. "Alam nilang matatalo na 'yong Sanchez," he said.

Not that Atty. Topacio denies political motivation behind the move. However, he maintained, “Ang paglabag ng batas ay paglabag ng batas. It does not matter kung sino ang nagko-complain.”

Recall that Sanchez held office in Batangas province from 2004 to 2007. Santos-Recto’s term came after his.

Earlier this month, rumors sprouted that the Star for All Seasons is withdrawing from the gubernatorial race. This, Santos-Recto vehemently dispelled.

“Hindi ko nga alam kung saan nakukuha ‘yan. It will never happen, 3 parties pinagtutulungan ako,” she said in an ABS-CBN News report.

Meanwhile, Sanchez suffered from heat stroke Monday afternoon. He was rushed to the Mary Mediatrix Center and is still in the intensive care unit (ICU) as of this writing.