Comelec Commissioner George Garcia (INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia on Monday urged the public to be vigilant and report vote-buying activities to the police.
“Meron po tayong PNP contingent na nandiyan malapit sa eskwelahan, papaaresto po natin ‘yan,” he said in a radio DZBB interview.
(We have a PNP contingent near schools, we will have them arrested.)
“Anytime pwede mo arestuhin, walang warrant of arrest na kakailanganin diyan dahil caught in the act ‘yan, caught in the act of committing a crime,” he added.
(Anytime, they can be arrested, no need for a warrant of arrest because they are caught in the act, caught in the act of committing a crime.)
Garcia said that violators may face one to six years of imprisonment.
“Isa hanggang anim na taon na pagkakakulong depende pa po ‘yan sa laki o depende pa po sa mga bagay-bagay na umiikot sa mismong kaso,” Garcia added.
(One to six years of imprisonment, depending on the gravity or the factors surrounding the case.)
Garcia appealed to voters to not accept any money in exchange of their votes as this may affect their future.
“Sa mga botante po natin, ang panawagan natin, hindi man po namin mahuli ‘yang mga ‘yan, ‘wag niyo pong tatanggapin. Bibigyan kayo ng P200, P500, ano po ‘yung kapalit nu’n kinabukasan? Kung kinakailangan picture-an niyo po, i-report niyo po, taskforcekontrabigay@gmail.com,” he advised.
(To our voters, our appeal, we may not catch them, but do not accept it. They will give you P200, P500, what will you get in return in the future? If needed, take a photo of it and report it to taskforcekontrabigay@gmail.com.)
Earlier, the Comelec said that it is investigating 10 vote buying cases.