BBM: Be vigilant against vote buying
Marcos stressed the importance of barangay elections in terms of governance and mid-term elections
Daily TribuneMarcos stressed the importance of barangay elections in terms of governance and mid-term elections
Members of the local poll body board at Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School look on the scattered ballots destroyed by six still unidentified men who stormed the polling precinct on Monday morning. Reports said that the men tried to seize the ballot boxes and ripped three booklets of unused ballots. | Photograph by Celeste Anna Formoso for the Daily Tribune
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday has warned of the ills of vote buying amid the conduct of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, saying that the deed deprives citizens of their right to choose their leaders.
This comes after the President received reports of vote buying in different parts of the country, including in his home province of Ilocos Norte.
"Unfortunately, there are still those who attempt to buy votes, especially at night. Last night, there were some reports, even here in Ilocos Norte, of individuals trying to buy votes for the barangay election," Marcos said.
The President said that the government is doing everything it can to stop vote buying, but he urged citizens to also play their part by reporting any suspicious activity to the police or the Commission on Elections.
"My advice to our fellow citizens is not to throw away your right to choose your barangay officials. You know that barangay officials are the ones you interact with every day. They are the ones you turn to for help with your problems," Marcos said.
"So, if you reduce it to just payments, you lose your voice, and you won't be able to select the people who should truly lead your barangay and those who can genuinely help you face the various daily challenges you bring to the barangay officials," he added.
The President stressed the importance of barangay elections in terms of governance and mid-term elections.
"Barangay elections are crucial for governance because barangays are the frontlines of government service. Barangay officials are the ones who are directly responsible for delivering essential services to their constituents," Marcos said.
"It is also important for mid-term elections because barangay officials play a key role in mobilizing voters and campaigning for candidates. So, it is important to elect barangay officials who are competent, honest, and dedicated to serving their constituents," he added.
Marcos was one of the first individuals to cast his vote in the polls at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac, Ilocos Norte, in Precinct 0036A, Cluster Number 0036A, shortly after 7 a.m.
Meantime, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. stressed that voters should report fraud and cheating incidents in polling precincts.
Abalos issued the call shortly before casting his vote at Highway Hills Integrated School on Barangay Highway Hills in Mandaluyong City, pointing out that ensuring a fraud-free and credible elections is a greater responsibility of the voters than just merely casting their votes.
Reiterating his message against vote-buying, the DILG Secretary said the electorate must consider that barangay leaders will be key in the efficient and effective delivery of basic services in their respective communities for the next three years.
Abalos also commended the Philippine National Police for effectively maintaining peace and order throughout the country on the days leading to the BSKE.
In other developments, a Comelec checkpoint in Malitbog town, Bukidnon intercepted a 27-year-old man with bundles of assorted bills allegedly for vote-buying.
Malitbog Municipal Police officer-in-charge Police Captain Jonel Antique identified the suspect only as "Alyas Mac," a resident of Barangay Sta. Ines.
Initial reports disclosed that on Sunday afternoon, the Comelec checkpoint set up by the First Bukidnon Mobile force company flagged down the suspect driving a motorcycle yielding bundles of assorted cash amounting to P43,250.
Also seized from the suspect were campaign materials for certain candidates the polls.
The suspect who is now under the custody of the police will face election offense charges for alleged vote-buying.
