As the campaign period for national candidates continues, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received reports of vote-buying in four provinces ahead of the midterm elections.
But what exactly constitutes vote-buying?
According to Comelec, vote-buying is the act of giving, offering, or promising any of the following in exchange for a vote:
Money or anything of value;
Any office or employment;
A franchise or grant, public or private;
An expenditure, made directly or indirectly; and
Inducing an individual, group, or the public to vote for or against a candidate, or to withhold their vote.
The purpose of vote-buying, according to Comelec, is to influence voters to support or reject a candidate or to manipulate the selection process within a political party.
Comelec also outlined several activities that are presumed to be vote-buying, including:
Distributing money, coins, gift bags, groceries, pay envelopes, tokens, or anything of value, along with sample ballots or campaign materials, in favor of a candidate;
Long lines or gatherings of registered voters receiving money, discounts, health or insurance cards, grocery items, or similar goods intended to sway votes;
Holding bingo games, talent shows, or similar events where prizes are distributed and candidates’ names or images are displayed or mentioned;
Employing the hakot system — gathering voters in a specific location before or on election day to distribute money, goods, or sample ballots;
Transporting or carrying more than P500,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) along with campaign paraphernalia or other evidence within two days before or on election day;
Conducting medical missions, legal aid services, feeding programs, or caravans that offer these services in a specific area where a candidate’s name or image is displayed or mentioned;
Distributing financial assistance (ayuda) where a candidate’s name or image is present, whether given by the candidate, a close relative, or known supporters;
Hiring or appointing more than two poll watchers per precinct, per candidate;
Possessing inedible ink or any substance that can remove election ink, such as acetone or paint thinner, on election day; and
Being in possession of blank original ballots on election day.
Individuals found guilty of vote-buying face serious consequences, including:
Imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a maximum of six years (without the possibility of probation);
Disqualification from holding public office and losing the right to vote (suffrage); and
A fine of no less than P10,000 for political parties involved in vote-buying.
Vote-buying remains a major election offense in the Philippines. The Comelec urges voters to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.