Vote buying is still an election offence
Published on: Thursday, October 28, 2021
By:
GMA News, CNN Philippines
MANILA: Regardless of “financial situation or noble intentions,” vote buying (pic) is still an election offence, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez maintained Wednesday.Jimenez made the remark a day after Vice President Leni Robredo, a presidential aspirant, said Filipinos who are offered money in exchange for their vote should take the money but vote for their preferred candidate.
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Robredo said that while vote-buying is illegal, it is hard to nab the perpetrators because it is not done in public, and nowadays could even be done through electronic transfers.
She likewise pointed out that candidates who buy votes would not use their own money to do so.
“I disagree with the notion of taking the money and voting according to your conscience. Vote buying is an election offence regardless of financial situation or noble intentions,” Jimenez tweeted.
“That should not be practiced and that should not be suggested to the voters, “ he added.
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The vote buying issue was also raised against another presidential aspirant, Senator Manny Pacquiao after he admitted distributing P1,000 cash aid during his recent events in Batangas and Benguet.
Pacquiao, however, maintained that it was not vote-buying, saying he has been doing this since 2002 regardless if there is an election or none.
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Vote-buying and vote-selling are considered as an election offense under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo gave a piece of advice for Filipinos who may encounter vote buying ahead of the 2022 polls.
Asked about the issue during a forum hosted by Kasambahay for Leni, Robredo said voters can opt to take the money — but reminded them to still pick candidates based on their conscience.
“You know, it’s wrong. Vote buying is wrong. But what I tell people is, accept it. I tell them to accept it because that’s public money. Accept it, but still vote for the candidate based on your conscience.”
Robredo admitted that vote buying continues to be rampant, citing instances in her hometown when she previously ran for Congress.
But the presidential aspirant said it is hard to catch perpetrators. She added the practice can be easily carried out especially with the rise of digital platforms.
“ They should be caught, because that’s wrong. But now it’s easier. Because now, we have GCash. There’s GCash now, so vote buying is easier,” Robredo said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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