Monitoring cashless vote-buying in 2022 polls poses ‘great challenge’ — PNP

This file photo shows a Commission on Elections staff member during the May 13, 2019, midterm elections. INQUIRER/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — With the prevalence of online banking and cashless transactions especially during the pandemic, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday admitted that monitoring vote-buying in the 2022 national elections — transacted electronically — poses a “great challenge.”

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said the police force is already bracing for such, and will step up its monitoring capacity.

“Monitoring vote-buying activities in the 2022 elections will really be a great challenge to us but I assure the voting public that we will put in place safeguards against this practice,” Eleazar explained in a statement on Monday.

Eleazar, however, assured that the PNP will devise mechanisms to prevent vote-buying via internet banking or mobile payment transfer apps.

“Hindi po malabong mangyari ito dahil nakagawian na rin po ang cashless transactions lalo ngayong may pandemya. Talagang maiisip ito ng mga taong nagpa-planong manghikayat sa publiko na ibenta ang kanilang boto,” he said.

(This is likely to happen because cashless transactions have become common, especially now that there is a pandemic. People who plan to persuade the public to sell their vote can really think of using online transactions.)

Eleazar said that the PNP would begin contacting relevant agencies, including the Commission on Elections, to establish measures to combat vote-buying using electronic money transfer services.

“Bubuo po tayo ng mekanismo hinggil dito. Pero magiging malaking tulong po kung tayo mismo ang magsumbong sa mga otoridad ng mga ganitong gawain,” Eleazar said.

(We will develop a mechanism in this regard. But it would be a great help if we ourselves report such activities to the authorities)

He then advised voters to refrain from engaging in this kind of activity, as well as to report individuals using this form of electoral fraud.

“Tandaan din po natin na ang mga politikong bibili ng boto ay walang magandang hangarin para sa bayan at panay pansariling interes lamang ang pangangalagaan. Oras na makaupo ang mga ito ay tiyak na babawiin lang ang nagastos niya na ipinangbili ng inyong boto,” warned Eleazar.

(Let us also remember that politicians who buy votes do not have good intentions for the people and will only protect their own interests. Once they are elected they will surely only steal back what he spent on buying your vote.)

Vote-buying and vote-selling are violations under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

EDV