DILG exec warns: Vote-buying may peak 2 days before polls
MANILA, Philippines — The last two days before the elections on Monday, May 13, will be crucial as vote-buying may peak during this period, an official from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned on Thursday.
According to DILG Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, the inter-agency task force headed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will monitor incidents of election violations which could be used to file disqualification cases against candidates.
“Meron pa naman pong mga vote-buying na nangyayari the night before or two days so ang crucial po dyan is ‘yong Saturday and Sunday,” Malaya said in an interview with DZMM.
He also called on the public to help the eradicate vote-buying by reporting incidents to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Kami po sa DILG nanawagan sa ating mga kababayan medyo mahirap po ito, pero ito po ay isang atake sa ating demokrasya,” Malaya asked.
“Kung sana po hindi lang tayo lip service, pero wala naman tayong ginagawa. Marami po ang pwede nating gawin, pwede po tayong magreport sa police, pwede po tayong magreport sa NBI, at pwede po tayong mag-report sa Comelec” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementThe DILG official’s statements came after Comelec created an anti-vote buying task force including the DILG, PNP, and NBI amid the influx of reports from all parts of the country.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Comelec launches anti-vote buying task force
Just this Wednesday, complainants claimed that supporters of a gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidate in Cavite were engaged in vote-buying after a rally in Bacoor. However, the candidate claimed that the money seized from supporters was intended for the training of poll watchers.
READ: Remulla disqualification sought over vote-buying
READ: Remulla: Cash seized from supporters is for watchers’ training
READ: Comelec: No disqualifications yet amid alleged vote-buying in Cavite
However, even with the reports like these, Comelec officials has admitted difficulty in catching vote buyers citing the lack of credible witnesses. Malaya said complainants often disappear after the elections are over.
“No’ng nag-uusap kami sa Comelec, lumabas din po ‘yong naging naging karanasan sa mga dating na-file na vote buying cases. Na-file nga po no’ng panahon ng eleksyon, pero no’ng after ng eleksyon, hindi na po mahanap ‘yong complainant,” Malaya said.
“Hinahanap ng Comelec, return to sender, hindi na po ma-pursue,” he added. /muf
