‘Vote buying most rampant in NCR’

MANILA, Philippines — Vote buying incidents have remained pervasive in the National Capital Region, with the bulk of complaints in the May midterm polls and past elections coming from the NCR, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

Thirty-four poll-related complaints have been filed so far with the Comelec, Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda said yesterday. 

Of the number, 23 cases stemmed from alleged vote buying, mostly in Metro Manila. Eleven cases of abuse of state resources were also filed. 

“We have received vote buying complaints even before the election period started,” Maceda, who heads the Kontra Bigay committee, said. “Cash was also reportedly handed out at proclamation rallies before the start of the campaign period for local candidates.”

Metro Manila was tagged as the “center of vote buying” in the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Maceda said. 

“I don’t know if that’s because more vote buying incidents are happening here or the people are just more aware of their rights and are more likely to file complaints,” he said. 

Up to 375 cases of vote buying were recorded during the 2023 BSKE. In the 2022 general elections, 1,226 vote buying complaints were logged nationwide, according to Maceda.

Abra, Calabarzon, Camarines Sur and Palawan also posted numerous complaints of vote buying, he said. 

Abuse of state resources has also become prevalent due to various government social assistance programs and services, Maceda said.

The Comelec is taking measures to prevent incidents of vote buying, he said.