Alleged vote buyers nabbed in Lucena and Calamba

With the help of concerned citizens, barangay (village) officials arrested seven men in Lucena City for allegedly buying votes for candidates.

According to a spot report, watchmen of Barangay Dalahican nabbed the suspects at around 1:45 a.m. on Monday at Purok 4, Dulong Buhangin after they were caught with envelops containing money and sample ballots.

Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, watchmen Roberto de Belen, Saragoza Opder, Ryan Gregory Espayos, and Angelito Cantera—arrived in the area and saw the suspects on board a motorcycle carrying a bag containing several envelops with sample ballots.

The suspects were identified as Pepito Carbonel, Virginia Sta. Ana, Dory Repollo, Romeo Bersabe, Arsenio Lagrason, Fernando Irwin, and Wilma Anthony.

The suspects were allegedly buying votes in favor of Shirley Magadia Sadia, who is a candidate for barangay captain, and her councilors for P200 each.

Seized from the suspects were nine envelops containing P200. The suspects were taken to the Lucena City Police Station where they were formally arrested for violation of Batas Pambansa 811 or the Omnibus Election Code.

Meanwhile In Laguna, Calamba City Councilor Satutnino Lajara turned over suspect Corazon Tapalla del Rosario to the Calamba City Police station also for alleged vote buying.

Del Rosario yielded two envelops containing P500 each. /muf