Comelec warns candidates against cash-for-win offers from syndicates

George Erwin Garcia of the Commission on Elections FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Wednesday against individuals who claim they can help candidates win in exchange for cash.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, these people claim that they have links to the Comelec and can influence election results.

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“Noong mga nakaraang eleksyon, lagi pong may mga naglipanang sindikato o mga ordinaryong tao na sinasabing may contact sila sa Comelec, malapit sila sa Information Department people ng Comelec o kaya kung sinuman ‘yong provider ng Comelec, may access sila,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(In the past elections, there were syndicates or ordinary people who say that they have alleged contacts with the the Comelec, that they are close with the people at the Information Department of the Comelec, or whoever is the provider of the Comelec, they have access.)

The official said that these entities say that the candidates they assist can win even without campaigning, which can cost up to P100 million.

“Kaya nilang papanalunin kayo kahit hindi mangampanya, magbayad lang ng P50 million, P70 million, P100 million,” he added.

(They claim they can help candidates win even without campaigning as long as they pay P50 million, P70 million, or P100 million.)

Garcia likewise said that the promises that the entities made to the candidates were not true.

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“Sana po huwag nating papayagan na lokohin po tayo ng mga ‘yan o linlangin. Hindi po totoo ‘yan,” he added.

(May we not let them trick us. Those are false.)

Garcia likewise called on authorities for the arrest of these entities.