Comelec to public: Report vote-buying in communities

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on the public on Sunday to report any vote-buying incidents in their area ahead of the midterm polls.

“Mga taumbayan, maki-bantay po kayo. Sabihin nila trabaho yan ng Comelec, bakit nila gawin? Maawa naman po kayo samin. Kung gusto niyo talaga ng malinis na halalan, tumulong po ang taong bayan sana,” Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in an interview with dzBB.

“Ang hinihingi namin makibantay na lang rin kayo dahil hindi namin kaya na bantayan lahat yan,” she added.

According to Guanzon, incidents of vote buying — such as giving away of gadgets and other items — could be reported to election officers in the area of incident.

She then pleaded to candidates and the public not to participate in vote buying as it taints the image of election in the country.

“Sana matigil na ang vote buying para naman maayos itong election natin,” Guanzon said.

“Sana yung mga botante wag na lang kayong magbenta ng boto n’yo kasi yan mahirap para sa Comelec na bantayan at yan talaga nakakasira sa election natin,” she added.

Election day is set on May 13. /cbb