Comelec: Gov't buses may be used to ferry voters

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections yesterday clarified that the use of government vehicles to transport voters to the different polling centers today is not illegal.

The clarification was issued by Cebu City north district election officer Rudy Gilos following concerns about the use of barangay buses to transport voters to areas that are not accessible to public transportation. The use of government vehicles, supplies and other resources, as well as personnel in any political activity or in the campaign of the candidates is prohibited under the Fair Elections Act.

“If gamiton ang barangay buses para mghatod sa pasahero, as long as wala sila’y pili bisan kinsa ilang ipasakay, that is okay,” Gilos said.

He explained that as long as the barangay will not be discriminative to voters favoring a particular political party, they can allow the people to use barangay buses.

“The barangay is supposed to be a non-partisan group, so okay ra na siya. Ang dili pwede is if they will use it in any partisan activities,” he said. 

Political parties are likewise not allowed to hire even private vehicles to provide free ride to their allies.

“Dili man na siya pwede kay that’s considered vote buying,” Gilos added.

During the launching of the South Reclamation Project (SRP) last Saturday, Gilos said that the use of barangay buses to transport residents from different parts of the city to witness the event, is also not illegal as long as the activity was set before the start of the local campaign period last March 26. The SRP launching has been planned and was announced by the city government early March this year. —  THE FREEMAN