LUCENA CITY, Quezon -- Just like any other electoral exercise in the country, Saturday’s historic plebiscite in Quezon to approve or reject a law dividing the province into two was marred by vote-buying, harassment, complaints of names missing from voter lists, and politicians’ promises of a better life for citizens.

In Lucena City since Friday evening, “No” campaigners allegedly paid voters P100 to P150 to reject Republic Act 9495 in the plebiscite.

"Our purok (neighborhood) leader was the one who gathered the voters, transported us in a passenger jeep and gave us P150 each in exchange for a ‘No’ vote for the continuous progress of the whole province. But why were they buying votes?’" said a house helper in the village of Cotta who requested not to be identified by name for fear of retaliation from vote buyers.

She said she accepted the money but she still voted “Yes.”

"I'm not a fool. I got their money because I need it for my family but they can't force me to do things I don't like. I just told them that I voted ‘No’ and they even thanked me," she said.

This correspondent spotted a woman “No” campaigner handling crisp P100 bills to a group of voters in the village of Isabang. When one of the groups noticed that they were being watched, they hurriedly dispersed.

The principal of Isabang Elementary School ordered the removal of a large "No to Hati Quezon" streamer that hung on the front fence of the school.

Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Quezon police chief, said except for some unconfirmed reports of vote buying, the conduct of the plebiscite was generally peaceful all throughout the province.

Posadas had placed the entire police force on red alert for the plebiscite.

Jasmin Mendogorin, “No” watcher at precinct 0152-A in Cotta Elementary School, said she was promised P500 as payment for her poll duty.

She was sported an identification card issued by the "Kalipunan ng Reporma Para sa Nayon" and signed by Quezon Governor Rafael Nantes as chairman.

Her counterpart from the “Yes” camp was also promised an undisclosed amount in exchange for protecting the affirmative votes during the counting.

Poll officials complained that they had to spend their own money for food. "There are no politician candidates around that have always been ready to serve us with food and drinks," one teacher said.

Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez lamented alleged massive vote-buying by people opposed to dividing Quezon in two.

"Why can't these politicians restrain themselves from using their guns, goons, and gold? They again pollute the people's voice with their abominable style of old politics which has no more place in our society," the bishop said in a telephone interview.

Lucena Mayor Ramon Talaga Jr. also alleged massive vote buying incidents by “No” campaigners in the city.

"But the people of my city are intelligent. They can't just be fooled by this dirty tactic," he said.

Both the bishop and the Lucena mayor are in favor of splitting Quezon into two provinces -- Quezon Del Norte and Quezon Del Sur.

Many voters also complained about not being able to find their names on voters’ lists posted at their polling precincts.

Meanwhile, a broadcaster, Boyet Tesalona of dwKI-FM radio based in Lucena, reported that “Yes” campaigners were also buying votes in Mulanay, Quezon, in the Bondoc Peninsula area.

Ben Palentinos, another broadcaster from the same radio station, also reported that “Yes” watchers in Candelaria town polling centers intimidated “No” voters from casting their votes.

The station is identified with people opposed to splitting the province into two.

In Gumaca town in the province’s 4th district, Catholic priest Ding Daño said he had received reports of vote buying by “No” campaigners in Calauag town.

"Except for isolated vote buying incidents, the conduct of the plebiscite in areas under the Diocese of Gumaca was generally peaceful because the great majority of us voted ‘Yes,’" he said in a phone interview.

In Infanta town, Fr. Mario Establecida, vicar general of the Prelature of Infanta, said the conduct of the plebiscite in northern Quezon, was generally peaceful.

"Thank God, we have yet to receive reports of any untoward incidents," he said in a phone interview at noon Saturday.

Lawyer Allan Enriquez, chief of the Commission on Elections in Quezon, attributed the heightened tension in the plebiscite to the participation of politicians in the campaign to push and defeat the new law.

From the estimated 900,000 total voters in Quezon, the Comelec expects only a 50-percent turnout.

Under Republic Act 9495, 17 towns in the first and second districts of the province will be known as Quezon Del Norte, with Lucena City remaining remain as the capital. Quezon Del Sur will be composed of 22 towns in the third and fourth districts with Gumaca town as the capital.