House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The imprisonment of poll officers and even commissioners due to election-related offenses may soon become a reality after such a measure is passed in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 4111, which identifies other persons who may be criminally-liable for election offenses, is passed under third and final reading on Monday.
The bill seeks to amend the Omnibus Election Code and Republic Act 8189 or the Voter’s Registration Act. Under the elections code, the persons criminally liable were only identified as “principals, accomplices and accessories.”
According to the bill, to be included as persons criminally liable are the members of the Board of Election Inspectors, of the Board of Canvassers, and even officials of the Commission on Elections “who aid, assist, or participate, directly or indirectly, to the commission” of poll offenses.
The bill would also like members of the police, military, paramilitary units and any special forces to be criminally liable for election offenses.
The aforementioned defense and elections officers face the maximum penalty for poll-related offenses, the bill read.
According to the bill, persons convicted of election offense would be penalized with imprisonment of six years to 12 years and a perpetual disqualification from public office and revocation of right to vote.
The bill would like to amend the elections code and voter’s registration law that said the imprisonment ranges from one year to six years.
The bill would also hike the penalties on any political parties guilty of poll-related offenses, to no less than P500,000, from a P10,000 penalty under the elections code.
Under the bill, persons found guilty of poll offenses committed through “violence, coercion, intimidation, force or threats” would be penalized with imprisonment between 12 years to 20 years. They would also be penalized with disqualification to run for office and revocation of right to vote.
The bill was among the 11 vital bills passed as the lower house resumed session on Monday.
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