Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año appealed to voters to immediately report any vote buying or vote selling activities in their communities.
“Kung may nakita tayo na kakaiba, ireport kaagad natin. Wag kayong mangimi sa pagrereport at para maaksyunan natin ora mismo,” said Año.
Año said that from May 8 until the actual election day on Monday, May 9, the designated police must enforce the liquor ban and ensure no all kinds of election campaign activity, such as distribution of political materials.
He said, “Hindi mangingiling mag-aresto ang ating mga pulis kapagka may mga violators kaya winawarningan na natin ano, tapos na yung pangangampanya starting today and at the same time din ano, yung mga mamimili ng boto talagang deretso o huhulihin talaga yan.”
Año instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to create Anti-Vote Buying Teams in every province and city to investigate vote buying and selling allegations in compliance with election laws, rules, and regulations.
“This is a concrete effort of the DILG and PNP to support the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the interagency Task Force Kontra Bigay in ensuring a fraud-free election,” Año said.
Año urges public to report vote buying incidents
It will be recalled that the Comelec is currently investigating ten incidents of alleged vote-buying.
It is learned that such cases are among the many reports and complaints of vote buying received by the Comelec through their official email address and Facebook page.
On Saturday, May 7, the Comelec said their Task Force Kontra Bigay, headed by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, investigates such vote-buying incidents.
Meanwhile, Año said Anti-Vote Buying Teams are also mandated to gather and maintain evidence, take witness statements, and protect witnesses or complainants by liaising with appropriate government agencies.
“Evidence-based complaints ay aaksyunan at ive-verify ng PNP Anti-Vote Buying Teams at idadaan sa parehong proseso ng pagkalap ng ebidensya. These will be forwarded to the Comelec which has a motu proprio power, or on its own accord, file cases of violation of election laws,” said Año.
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