PNP urges public to report vote-buying, selling

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged the public to report vote-buying and vote-selling in the lead up to the 2025 national and local elections.

The appeal from law enforcement came after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched the Kontra Bigay Committee earlier this February to combat vote-buying and vote-selling, as well as the abuse of state resources.

READ: Comelec vows strict measures to combat vote-buying, selling, abuse

“Hinihikayat namin ang mamamayan na makiisa at ireport ang anumang uri ng pagbili ng boto o pagbebenta ng boto sa mga awtoridad,” PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said in a statement on Tuesday.

(“We urge Filipinos to cooperate and report any kind of vote-buying or vote-selling to the authorities.”)

READ: PNP chief Marbil wants May 2025 elections to be ‘safest’

Further, the PNP chief ordered the police to strengthen its monitoring, investigation, and action against vote-buying and vote-selling.

“As the nation prepares for the 2025 elections, the PNP stands firm in its duty to protect the sanctity of the electoral process,” Marbil said.

“Our personnel will not only implement but wholeheartedly embrace the Kontra Bigay campaign, ensuring a clean, honest, and fair election for every Filipino voter,” the PNP chief added.

The Omnibus Election Code penalizes vote buying and vote selling with imprisonment of one to six years, disqualification to hold public office, and withdrawal of the right to vote. —By Keith Irish Margareth Clores, INQUIRER.net trainee