Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 25) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed on Wednesday a supposed vote-buying incident in Barangay San Jose, Navotas City — the first such arrest since the start of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) campaign period.
Local Comelec and Navotas police launched Operation Kontra Bigay at a sardines warehouse on Wednesday in the barangay after they received information about alleged vote buying in the area.
According to initial reports, a woman from Malabon City was caught handing out envelopes containing cash from ₱300 to ₱500 to around 200 people, who said they were residents of Barangay Longos in Malabon City.
When interviewed by authorities, they said they were invited by the suspect to undergo training for poll watchers and were given the money when they arrived at the warehouse.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia lauded the swift action of the local Comelec and Navotas police.
“Nakakatuwa pero nakakangitngit at nakakagalit,” he said. “Nakakatuwa dahil siyempre may nahuli kami. Nakakagalit kasi despite the fact na sinasabi natin na huwag na huwag niyong gagawin, at pinatutunayan talaga natin yan na hindi natin palalampasin ang mga ganyan, may mga nagco-commit pa rin.”
[Translation: I’m relieved, but at the same time annoyed and angry. Relieved because we caught some people. Annoyed because despite reminders on what not to do, and we have proven that we will not let things like this slide, this still happened.]
The poll chief vowed to go after those engaged in vote buying and selling. He said those found guilty may face disqualification and may be charged with an election offense.
“We will immediately act on that and those who will be responsible, kung wala pa sila sa aming list ng mga isu-suspend, we will immediately suspend the proclamation of these candidates kung saka-sakali sila ay mananalo,” Garcia said.
[Translation: We will immediately act on that and those who will be responsible, if they are not yet on our list of people to be suspended, we will immediately suspend the proclamation of these candidates should they win.]
The Committee on Kontra Bigay earlier filed five disqualification cases for vote buying.
It said more will be filed as complaints come in.
The recipients added that they were all election watchers in Barangay Longos.
Among the items recovered at the scene were 1,213 white envelopes that contained a total of ₱363,900 in cash, and a box that had papers indicating the names of registered voters, contact numbers, precinct numbers, and photocopies of assorted IDs.
