Comelec closely monitors voice buying and selling
MANILA – A standing group, not just an ad hoc committee, will now look into reports of vote-trading ahead of the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr.said election violations will not be business as usual for the newly formed group.
“What was previously just a Task Force, an ad hoc committee in 2019, has now become a permanent and standing committee of the Comelec.
(It is) the only Comelec standing committee dedicated to attacking what is truly an internal threat to democracy,” he said during the launch of the Kontra Bigay (CKB or Anti-Donation Committee) Committee.on Friday.
Comelec Resolution No.10946 that established the CKB also established the Kontra-Bigay Grievance Center, which operates from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.until October 28 and will operate 24 hours a day from October 29 to 31.
Before the CKB, there was the Comelec Task Force that monitored complaints related to vote trading.
The public can now report their complaints to CKB via helpline numbers 02-8559-9947 or 02-8567-4567 or via email address committe.kontrabigay@gmail.com.
Maceda said CKB member government agencies also have the authority to investigate, prosecute and arrest violators involved in alleged vote-trading.
These acts include possessing and distributing money, cards, or valuable campaign items; long lines for the distribution of discount promotions, groceries, and other similar items; organize competitions with prizes for contestants; possess or transport cash in excess of PHP 500,000 five days before Election Day; and divide at least PHP20,000 in cash into small denominations of PHP100, PHP50, or PHP20, among others.
CKB member agencies include the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Cybercrime Control and Coordination Center, the Information Agency Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Guard.
Bureau of Investigation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Office of the Attorney General, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Association of Philippine Law Schools and Recognized Citizen Branches of the commission.
Comelec officials said violators, once convicted, could be sentenced to at least one year in prison or a maximum term of six years.
“The Commission has made efforts to perfect the mechanism and historical structure for implementing VBVS (vote trading) policies and guidelines.Our agenda is deterrence, enforcement and prosecution,” Maceda said.
Arresting offenders without a warrant
Comelec said any member of law enforcement can arrest violators without a warrant.
The person may be arrested while committing or attempting to commit an election offense.
The election authority also said it would disqualify candidates found to be involved in vote buying.He also assured that the agency will protect those who report violators.
“In the unfortunate event that minors or children are taken advantage of in vote buying and selling activities, we also have procedures to handle children who violate the law according to “article 45 of this resolution,” said Glinis.Tamondong declared.Head of CKB Secretariat.
The public can report violators via CKB’s hotline number, (08) 8559-9947, (02) 8567-4567 or via their Facebook:Kontrabigay, Instagram:
kontrabigay, Twitter:Kontra Bigay, or by email to Commission.kontrabigay@gmail.com
