Anti-corruption body endorsing 15 vote-buying, fraud reports to Comelec

MANILA, Philippines – The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is endorsing 15 reports of vote-buying and electoral fraud incidents to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ahead of the May 13 midterm elections.

“Vote buying is a corrupt election practice that obstructs our democratic process by impeding the exercise of our rights to freely choose our leaders,” PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said in a press briefing Friday.

“When a candidate chooses to pay for your votes, they show utter disregard for our democratic process and a willingness to use illegal means to further their interests,” he added.

Belgica presented photos and video of alleged vote-buying activities in Isabela, Santiago City, Misamis Occidental, Abra, La Union, and in the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, and Pasay.

“We also included social media reports because such reports must be addressed by the government. They should not be abated and disregarded,” Belgica said

Earlier, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez warned the public of a surge in vote-buying activities as the campaign season nears the homestretch.

Jimenez also urged the public to immediately report to the authorities any vote-buying activities in their area.

“So paalala sa mga botante, if you want to help resolve that situation, please ang unang tungo ninyo ay sa kapulisan o sa local Comelec,” the poll body official said.

“Magsumbong kayo agad na mayroon kayong natunugan, meron kayong narinig, nasabihan kayo na magkakaroon ng ganung klaseng activities at isumbong niyo agad sa pulis,” he added. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

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