MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), sitting en banc, has disqualified broadcaster Korina Sanchez from becoming First Lady. Sanchez, wife of presidential candidate and former Interior Secretaryi Mar Roxas, was found guilty of vote-buying and violation of election campaign rules.

Sanchez joined officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on stage during the distribution of some P611-million worth of agriculture funds and equipment in Tagum City on Saturday, according to the Inquirer. Sanchez also joined similar DA events in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato and Mexico, Pampanga.

Sanchez was found guilty on two counts:

1. Vote-buying with funds that belonged to the national government, and

2. Using government funds and resources to campaign for her husband.

Because Roxas was not present during said events, the COMELEC could not technically charge him for violation of election laws.  However, the electoral body said that it is within its prerogative to disqualify Sanchez from becoming First Lady should Roxas win the presidential elections in May.

With the COMELEC  ruling (assunming Roxas becomes president), this will be the second time in a row that there will be no First Lady in Malacañang, the presidential palace.  Sanchez will have to live in their private residence. (President Aquino, a bachelor, didn’t have a First Lady to house in Malacañang.)