Comelec vows strict measures to combat vote-buying, selling, abuse
Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines – During the launching of the Committee on “Kontra Bigay” on Friday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) vowed to enforce strict mechanisms to combat vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources for the 2025 elections.
According to Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr., commissioner-in-charge of the committee, the committee is committed “to dismantle the culture of political patronage” and to ensure that no candidate or party will abuse state resources.
“We introduced stronger safeguards, clearer regulations, and stricter enforcement mechanisms. This will ensure that no candidate or party can subvert the will of the people, especially through the illicit use of state resources,” Maceda said in his speech.
He added that the poll body “will not tolerate the abuse of state resources for electoral gain” and they “will not hesitate to disqualify, penalize and hold accountable any candidate in power who dares abuse the elections.”
He also called on the Filipino people to remain vigilant and report any cases of vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia explained that “Kontra Bigay” that was once a task force was formed into a committee to “safekeep” documents and evidence of complaints and resolve cases even after the elections.
Further, the committee is tasked to assist law enforcement authorities to identify acts of vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources and to gather evidence “that may aid in the arrest of suspected individuals who would commit these election offenses.”
Warrantless arrest
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11104, enforcement of warrantless arrest on vote-buying, vote-selling, and acts constituting abuse of state resources is an expansion of the power of the Committee on Kontra Bigay.
READ: Comelec allows warrantless arrest on vote-buying, selling
Vote-buying and vote-selling are considered as election offenses under the Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The resolution stated that warrantless arrest is applicable when the person to be arrested is in the presence of the law enforcement authorities.
Further, Garcia reiterated that citizen arrest, which is not included in the Comelec resolution but is allowed by the Supreme Court, is not entirely encouraged.
“Kaya lang hindi namin ineencourage. May danger sa buhay ng mag-aaresto,” Garcia said in a press conference.
(We don’t encourage it. It can bring danger to the lives of those who will conduct the arrest)
Presumption of acts constituting vote-buying, selling, abuse of state resources transactions
The resolution also that there must be “at least one voter in different precincts representing at least twenty percent of the total precincts in any municipality, city or province has been offered, promised or given money, valuable consideration or other expenditure by a candidate’s relatives, leaders and/or symphatizers for the purpose of promoting the election of such candidate, shall constitute a disputable presumption of a conspiracy under Section 261 (b) of the OEC.”
Garcia also recalled an instance during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan 2023 Elections where they barred barangay officials from holding office due to vote-buying charges.
READ: Comelec stops 253 barangay execs from taking office over vote-buying
The resolution also mentioned that acts of “hakot system” or bringing two or more persons to a specific place before election day to distribute cash or anything of value, or sample ballots can be grounds for presumption of vote-buying and vote-selling.
In addition, processing, carrying or transporting cash exceeding P500,000, along with other campaign paraphernalia and evidence two days before or on the actual election day can be considered as acts of presumption.
