The Commission on Elections (Comelec) itself can sue a politician in Cavite province for handing out money before a political rally by presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., according to an election lawyer.
On Tuesday, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla handed out thousands of prizes at a covered court in Dasmariñas to supporters who would showcase their talent. But he insisted, “this is not an election offense” because he is not yet a candidate. The official campaign season for local candidates like him is on March 25.
“‘Yung kwestyon kung sino ang mamili ang boto, it doesn’t matter whether candidate ka o hindi. Kasi nakasulat doon [sa batas] na ‘any person that commits vote-buying,'” according to election lawyer Emil Marañon III, Wednesday, in an interview with TeleRadyo.
Marañon is the lawyer of Vice President Leni Robredo.
“Second po na dapat tignan, para kanino ba ‘yung pamimili niya ng boto? Kung para ‘yan sa national candidate, meron na po tayong national candidate mula noong February 8, 2022 noong nag-start po ang campaign period [nila].”
Jonvic Remulla can be charged in Cavite rally ‘vote buying’ – lawyer
According to Section 261 (a) (1) of the Omnibus Election Code, even non-election candidates can buy votes:
“Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.”
Anyone found guilty of any election offense will be punished with up to six years in prison. It has no probation and will also be punished by disqualification from holding public office. They will also be deprived of the right to vote.
Bongbong, running for the presidency, also came to the same covered gym where money was distributed.
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