Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30) –The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is investigating one governor and 13 mayors in Luzon who allegedly engaged in vote buying amid the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
“Meron po kaming inimbestigahan na isang governor at 13 mayors sapagkat mukhang sa bahay pa nila pinagdi-distribute, yung iba, pagmamayari po nila,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters on Monday.
[Translation: We are investigating one governor and 13 mayors because it seems that they were distributing money in their houses, with some out of their pockets.]
The poll body received numerous reports of alleged vote buying but were later confirmed to be false, Garcia added.
“‘Yun po yung sinasabi namin na sana hindi na lang nakikialam yung mga official ng mga local government sapagkat lalong nagugulo ang halalan ng barangay at SK,” Garcia said.
[Translation: That is why we are saying that local government officials should not meddle in the elections since they mess it up more.]
READ: Garcia tells politicians not involved in polls to leave BSKE alone
The Omnibus Election Code states that vote buying involves giving money or anything of value, promising any office or employment, and other offers to make anyone to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote.
The proclamation of winning candidates will be suspended if they have disqualification cases such as vote buying and early campaigning.
