Comelec to voters: Treat vote buying offers as an insult

MANILA — Four days before the start of the campaign period for the May 12 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged voters not to sell their votes and not to support candidates who engage in such act.

Speaking at the launch of the Committee on Kontra Bigay in Manila on Friday, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the voters themselves can stop vote buying and vote selling.

“All the efforts will be useless if people will continue selling votes and vote for those buying them. Do not accept the money and don’t vote for those candidates,” he said.

“It takes two to tango. Vote buyers can’t do anything if you don’t accept the money. We urge you to have the courage to reject vote buying,” Garcia added.

He said those offered to buy their votes must see the act as an insult.

“Don’t allow anybody to take advantage of our poverty. It is a disgrace that there are people taking advantage of our hunger and poverty,” Garcia said.

The Omnibus Election Code defines vote buying as an act wherein a person gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.

On the other hand, vote selling is an act wherein a person solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure in exchange of voting for or against any candidate.

The 90-day campaign period for candidates running for senatorial posts and party-list representatives will begin on Feb. 11.