Bookstore pulls out cash envelopes from ‘election essentials’ display

Photo from the Comelec

Updated @ 1:51 p.m., March 21, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — A popular bookstore chain pulled out its money envelopes in its so-called “election essentials” display after being called out by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia wrote to National Bookstore last March 17 to request “corrective action” on its in-store signage for “Election Materials Essentials.”

The store in Metro Manila showed that a money envelope was included in the display, along with pens, glue, scissors, and stamp pads.

Garcia feared that such a display might normalize vote buying.

“Although we are aware that such envelopes may be used for other legitimate purposes during elections such as payments for watchers and suppliers, we are constrained to humbly appeal for your kind indulgence for corrective action as we fear that said marketing strategy may normalize vote buying and/or rampant distribution of money during elections,” Garcia said in his letter.

“We also worry that impressionable children and minds who frequent your stores may be led to believe that the illegal practice of vote buying is societally condoned,” he continued.

In a response letter dated March 19, the NBS president Adrian Ramos said this was unintended.

READ: GCash sets transaction limits to curb vote buying in 2025 polls

Ramos also said he has ordered the removal of envelopes in similar displays in all of their stores nationwide.

“While we understand and appreciate your point that small money/coin envelopes might be used in illegal activities such as vote buying during the election season, we assure your good office that there was no malice nor any ill-intention on our part to attribute the marketing and use of the said envelopes to vote buying,” the bookstore’s president said in a letter shared to reporters on Friday.

He also added that the bookstore chain was compliant with all rules and regulations of the Comelec.

Garcia, in a response letter to Ramos dated March 21, Friday, said the Comelec “take kind notice of your assurance that there was no malice or any ill-intention on the part of the National Bookstore in the marketing and use of said envelopes.”

“We are glad to have found in your good corporation a partner for safe, honest, and credible elections,” Garcia further said.