The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Tuesday that it will enforce a “money ban” due to the prohibition of acts assumed to be related to vote buying and selling in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) this year.
During an impromptu interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia specified that the transportation and possession of approximately P500,000 in cash are forbidden within five days before the election day and on the actual day of the election.
“Ang atin po ipro-prohibit at ipa-punish ay ‘yung pagdadala ng P500,000 lalo na kapag pumasok ‘yung period ng kampanya. ‘Yan po naman ‘yung panahon ng pagbibili ng boto,” he said.
Garcia pointed out that individuals with professions requiring money handling, such as cashiers and payroll workers, are exceptions to this prohibition. He added that they must provide identification as evidence of their employment.
Garcia mentioned that checkpoints will be established to enforce the money ban.
Those found violating the ban could face charges for vote buying, potentially leading to imprisonment ranging from one to six years.
Garcia noted that the Comelec had previously implemented a money ban in 2015, albeit limited to cash withdrawals.
During a briefing on the BSKE 2023, the Comelec revealed that, for the first time, it would restrict actions presumed to involve vote buying and selling. These actions include:
- Possessing or distributing coins, notes, money, cards, pay envelopes, bags, groceries, tokens, or any valuable items with campaign materials favoring or opposing a candidate.
- Offering or promising something valuable in exchange for votes.
- Creating long lines or queues for distributing money, discounts, groceries, and goods to influence voting.
- Door-to-door campaigning involving giving money, discounts, groceries, or goods to influence voting.
‘Money ban’ for barangay, SK elections pushed
- Organizing activities like bingo games or talent shows with prizes and candidate references.
- Employing the “hakot” system to gather voters for distributing money or sample ballots.
- Splitting amounts of at least P20,000.00 into smaller denominations before election day.
- Conducting services like medical missions or feeding programs mentioning candidates’ names and displaying their photos.
- Giving and receiving assistance or “ayuda” beyond normal needs during the campaign, day before election, and election day.
- Hiring more than two watchers per precinct per candidate who alternate.
- Possessing indelible ink or substances to remove it, except for necessary cases authorized by the Commission.
- Possessing blank original ballots on election day, except for authorized cases by the Commission.
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