Cases of vote-buying reported in CDO — Namfrel

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- The National Movement for Free Election (Namfrel) here said that it had received reports of vote-buying during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday.

Nestor Banuag, local chapter chairperson of Namfrel in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental, said that they have received reports of vote buying in one of the highly contested barangays in the city.

Banuag added many reports, some even posted on social media, with people posting on the alleged vote buying.

“The (incidents of) vote buying now is minimal, but the amount is huge,” Banuag said.

Banuag said Namfrel cannot file an election offense for vote buying but encourages residents to do so before the Commission on Election (Comelec).

Police Region 10 director Police BGen Ricardo Layug, Jr., said they will be investigating with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office for the alleged vote-buying in the city.

“All information given to us will be subject to confirmation. Even after the election is over, the election protest will not end,” Layug said.

Layug added that the information regarding vote-buying will have to be converted into a complaint.

“There will always be a proper forum for everything, ” Layug said.