Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville “Jinky Britics” Luistro is facing multiple complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, just months ahead of her re-election bid in 2025. An anonymous complainant filed allegations of graft, vote-buying, premature campaigning, and misuse of public funds against the incumbent congresswoman.
Despite the mounting accusations, Luistro appears unbothered. During a campaign sortie in Barangay Padre Castillo, San Pascual, Batangas, she brushed off the complaints. “Chill lang, relax lang, kayang-kayang kaya ni Britics yan,” she told ABS-CBN News. She dismissed the charges as “totally unfounded, walang detalye, walang ebidensya, parang chopsuey pinaghalo-halo sa iisang sangkap na lamang.”
The complaint alleges that Luistro used several government assistance programs to bolster her political image ahead of the elections. These include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and various national scholarships. The complainant also claimed that during the distribution of aid, tarpaulins with Luistro’s name and image were visibly displayed, signaling premature campaigning.
The accusations further claim that these aid distributions occurred during the official campaign period, in violation of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regulations. Supporting evidence reportedly came from verified social media accounts tied to Luistro’s official Facebook page.
In response, Luistro maintained her innocence and said she has followed all legal protocols. “I did not violate any provision of the election code,” she stated firmly. She also denied using government programs for political gain. “Ito pong mga ayudang ito long before the campaign period ay iniimplement nationwide… and I hope hindi ito nabibigyan ng kulay dahil ito po ang kailangang-kailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.
Luistro is set to face former Representative Raneo Abu in a closely watched contest for Batangas’ 2nd District seat in the 2025 elections. As the investigation unfolds, both her political future and public trust hang in the balance.