MANILA, Philippines — Education is the key to the problem of vote-buying, Malacañang said on Tuesday, adding that the administration was more than willing to address the problem which has marred the credibility of past elections.
“We have to make our country progressive so that everybody will have comfortable lives … But before that, we have to educate them first. If we lack education, we will only have more problems,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
At least 147 were arrested for alleged vote-buying activities, including a mayoral candidate in Quezon City, during Monday’s midterm elections.
Earlier, President Duterte noted that vote-buying seems to be unstoppable and that it was “an integral part” of Philippine elections.
The President said there was no candidate who did not engage in vote-buying and that it will continue to exist as long as there are poor Filipinos. —Julie M. Aurelio