The Commission on Elections and the Public Attorney's Office signed a memorandum of agreement on the poll body and the prosecutorial arm's cooperation against vote-buying and vote-selling on Monday, 2 October.

As the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections are fast approaching, Comelec chairperson George Garcia and PAO chief Persida Acosta led the signing of the MOA.

Garcia pointed out the need for this cooperation to put an end to vote buying/selling,  what he referred to as the "modern cancer of democracy".

"Nangangahulugan lang na 'di puwede na palagpasin natin ang eleksyong ito at ang mga susunod na eleksyon nang hindi natin kasama ang PAO sa paglaban lalong-lalo na sa modern cancer na ito. Yan ay para ma-empower natin ang mga kababayan na maglakas-loob na dumulog at pumunta sa Comelec upang magreklamo. Hindi lang sa pamimili kundi sa pamimigay at pagtanggap ng mga goods, ng money at promises mula sa mga candidates," Garcia said in his speech.
[This means that we should not let these coming elections and future elections pass without involving PAO in fighting this modern cancer. This will empower the public to have the courage to file complaints with the Comelec. Not only on vote-buying but on giving and receiving goods from the candidates.]

Acosta's take on the signing of the MOA is to protect the sanctity of the 'voice of the people' and will fortify the country's democracy and the rule of law.