Pelaez accuses Radaza camp of vote-buying

CEBU, Philippines – Businessman Efrain Pelaez, Jr., the Liberal Party mayoralty candidate in Lapu-Lapu City, yesterday accused the Radaza camp of vote-buying.

In yesterday's press conference, Pelaez presented a sample ballot contained in a folder allegedly distributed by the Radaza camp, which showed holes opposite the names of allegedly preferred candidates.

Pelaez said the sample ballot was obtained by a supporter who had attended a meeting the Radaza camp had called recently.

It was alleged that at the precinct on election day, the voter would allegedly place the sample ballot over the official ballot, the holes indicating the candidates the voter would vote for by shading the space provided for.

“Nag-apod-apod ang ilang kampo og papel nga binuslotan na daan aron ideretso na ang pagkuskos sa balota ngadto sa ngalan nga angay nilang butohan. Naa sa folder ang instruction nga ipatupong ang pangalan, pataoran og paper clip ug itoman kutob sa pula," Pelaez told reporters.

The press conference was held inside the Coral Point Clubhouse at the Punta Engaño, where the entire slate of Pelaez was in attendance.

Congressional candidate Eugenio Espedido, who is a lawyer by profession, said the act is already a form of vote-buying since the voters will be given advance payment and upon return of the folder with shade marks on the folder, the full payment will be given.

"Kung i-allow ni sa taga-Comelec then magkagubot gyud," Espedido said, adding that as soon as possible they will ask the Commission on Elections to come up with concrete guidelines on what the voters are allowed to bring inside the polling precinct.

Since the voting is going to be automated, Espedido said the folder the Radaza camp will be distributing, is not a form of “kodigo.”

Lapu-Lapu City Comelec Ferdinand Gujilde, recently said there is nothing irregular and illegal in this strategy.

Efforts to reach the Radaza camp for comment, however, proved futile.

Pelaez is running against Paz Radaza, the wife of incumbent Mayor Radaza who is running for congress.

Since 2007, Pelaez has been bitterly criticizing Mayor Radaza for alleged corruption and had filed cases in the Ombudsman's Office in connection with the purchase of overpriced computers by city hall and ghost payrolls.

Mayor Radaza, in return, fought back Pelaez by calling the businessman a tax evader.

The city withheld his business permits, demolished a coastal riprap he had built, and briefly shutting down Pelaez's Marina Mall in Mactan. – Garry B. Lao (THE FREEMAN)