Comelec verifying reported vote buying at Hong Kong rally

Comelec Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia —File photo by Lyn Rillon | Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it would verify reports of vote buying at a recent campaign rally in Hong Kong.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia revealed that his office had received reports that attendees of a recent political rally there were offered up to HK$200 to vote straight for a certain Senate slate.

“We have received news or information about it,” Garcia said in an ambush interview at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

“We still need to verify that,” he added. “But again, at this point, this remains as raw information.”

READ: Comelec to voters: Treat vote buying offers as an insult

Garcia said the Comelec had started coordinating with the consulate of Hong Kong to verify the report.

Furthermore, he urged those who witnessed the alleged vote buying to report it to the poll body.

“If anyone wants to expose that they were offered and given money, that’s better,” he said.