Comelec imposes ‘money ban’ to stop vote-buying
Nagtahan said at least five prosecutors will be on standby to immediately respond to election-related cases filed before and after the BKSE.
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Daily TribuneNagtahan said at least five prosecutors will be on standby to immediately respond to election-related cases filed before and after the BKSE.
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The Commission on Elections cracked down on vote buying in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday by imposing a "money ban" that prohibits carrying more than P20,000 in small bills or P500,000 in cash ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Monday.
Lawyer Joel Dexter Nagtahan, city election officer for District 1, said that effective midnight Saturday, those who violate the money ban will be presumed to be engaged in vote-buying and can be subjected to warrantless arrest.
He said an interagency surveillance group has been activated to monitor people carrying at least P20,000 in small bills and those in possession of P500,000 in cash without justification and who are not engaged in any business. These people will be the target of the operation.
"The same rule applies to people who announce to candidates the number of voters in their household. This will be considered vote-selling," Nagtahan said. "The burden of proof to prove innocence is now on those accused of vote-buying and selling."
Nagtahan said at least five prosecutors will be on standby to immediately respond to any election-related cases filed before and after the BKSE.
The Comelec also announced that those who are proclaimed winners after the election can assume their post immediately after filing their Statement of Election Expenses and taking their oath of office.
The officer clarified, however, that those who are facing disqualification cases and other election-related charges will not be proclaimed until their cases are resolved by the Commission.
Those who have already complied with SOCE and taken their oath of office will inform the Department of the Interior and Local Government for their official assumption of office.
