A well-known bookstore chain said Friday it will remove money or coin envelopes from its store shelves after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) flagged their placement under an “Election Materials Essentials” section in one of its branches.

In a letter dated 17 March, the poll body raised its concern with National Bookstore President Adrian Ramos, pointing out that coin and red envelopes, traditionally used for distributing cash, were being sold alongside items like scissors, glue, folders, and pens.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the commission is worried that such a marketing approach “may normalize vote buying and/or the rampant distribution of money during elections.”

"[We] also worry that impressionable children and minors who frequent your stores may be led to believe that the illegal practice of vote buying is societally condoned," Garcia added.

In response, Ramos said the company will pull out all money envelopes in branches nationwide.

"While we understand and appreciate your point that small money/coin envelopes might be used in illegal activities such as vote-buying during election season, we assure your good office that there was no malice nor any ill-intention on our part to attribute the marketing and use of the said enveloped to vote-buying," Ramos said.

Garcia, in a follow-up letter to Ramos on Friday, expressed his gratitude for the company’s cooperation.

"We truly appreciate your swift and decisive action on the pull-out of the money envelopes as 'election materials essentials.'"