No vote buying, BSKE bets warned
All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for the possible filing of disqualification cases
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Daily TribuneAll of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for the possible filing of disqualification cases
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The Commission on Elections has filed petitions against Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates allegedly involved in vote buying.
Out of 40 complaints filed with the poll body, the Comelec board submitted five disqualification petitions, according to Comelec deputy executive for operations Rafael Olano.
Olano said the Comelec's Committee on Vote Buying has received complaints from the public on various platforms.
"All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for the possible filing of disqualification cases," he said.
Olano confirmed that one of the five cases under investigation involved a BSK bet who showed up during the distribution of aid by a local government unit, which, he said, could be a form of vote buying.
Freeloader
"There were local government officials, mayors distributing relief, but the BSKE candidate was present and was allowed to speak," he said.
Another BSK candidate was accused of distributing "financial aid" to community residents after the official filing of candidacies.
The poll body warned candidates it would strictly implement measures prohibiting the distribution of ballers, t-shirts, caps, and anything else of worth before the elections lest they be accused of vote buying.
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. reminded LGU officials to be aware of the prohibitions during a separate briefing.
"If they conduct assistance programs, they should not let BSKE candidates join them, lest they be disqualified," he said.
Maceda said the Comelec will consider reinforcing techniques if similar incidents persist as the campaign period draws closer.
"We will study how to reprimand them or take appropriate action," he said.
