Comelec says poll bets’ raffles only illegal during campaign period

FILE PHOTO: Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Poll bets holding raffles – personally or online – could face disqualification or imprisonment if they do it during the official campaign period.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said Tuesday that raffles conducted by candidates are prohibited under the law.

“Electoral offense po ‘yan. Ang penalty natin (That’s an electoral offense. Our penalty is) imprisonment for up to six years as well as disqualification from holding office,” the Comelec official said over One News.

“Sa campaign period po, bawal na ‘yan, sa ngayon, hindi pa natin naipagbabawal ‘yan,” he also said.

(During the campaign period, that’s not allowed anymore. But for now, it is not yet prohibited.)

The official campaign period will start in February 2022.

Jimenez was asked on the matter amid reports of certain aspirants in the May 2022 elections currently raffling off gadgets and cash on their social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Previously, Jimenez also said that handing out money during the campaign period is illegal under the law.

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