Comelec says initial probe on 17 vote-buying cases in 2022 polls underway

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MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has launched its preliminary investigation on 17 cases of vote-buying in the May 2022 elections.

Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Lauduangco disclosed this Friday as he explained that a total of 113 complaints were received and acted upon by the poll body’s anti-vote buying task force.

Of the 113 cases, he noted, 17 incidents are now undergoing the initial probe after verified complaint-affidavits were filed before the Comelec’s law department.

According to Laudiangco, the number of complaints that the Comelec received is fewer than anticipated.

“Yes,” he said when asked if the number of complaints on vote-buying is better than Comelec’s expectations.

“But we have to remember that the prescription period for election offenses is 5 years from the date of commission. Kaya pwede pa po mag-file pa (So they can still file),” he also told reporters.

Vote-buying and vote-selling incidents may be reported to the official Facebook page of the Comelec’s Task Force Kontra Bigay, or through the panel’s e-mail address: [email protected].

Vote-buying is considered an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.

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