Comelec launches anti-vote buying task force

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has created an anti-vote buying task force following reports of vote-buying incidents across the country, Comelec Chairman Al Parreño said Wednesday.

“Marami po kaming namomonitor lalo na ngayon na mga vote buying. May mga sumusulat sa amin, may mga tumatawag saming mga facilities,” Parreño said in a press briefing.

(We have monitored incidents of vote buying. We’ve received letters, and people are also calling our facilities.)

“Kaya po nakita namin na mas magandang tutukan na talaga ito. Lalo na for the past two or three weeks, ang dami pong pumapasok na reports,” he added.

(So we saw the need to focus on this issue, especially as we have been receiving reports in the past three weeks.)

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The anti-vote buying task force, an initiative of the Comelec, will be composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

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The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), a mandatory organization for all Filipino lawyers, also expressed support to the initiative.

According to Parreño, both the NBI and PNP are tasked to conduct investigation and case build-up on the alleged vote-buying incidents while the IBP will be ready to file cases against individuals concerned.

Parreño said the DILG will assist the Comelec in conducting an information drive against vote buying to the public.

If found guilty, Parreño said politicians may be slapped with an election offense or a disqualification case. The task force’s mandate is to pursue these cases even after the elections. /ee

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