Koko launches anti-cheat campaign

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has organized a campaign aimed at going after unscrupulous individuals and protecting citizens against cheaters and swindlers.

Pimentel, a victim of poll fraud during the 2007 senatorial elections, has launched the Kontra Pandaraya Movement (KPM) that seeks to fight not only election cheating but also other forms of fraud and scams that target the general public.

In a statement, Pimentel said the KPM movement will serve as a venue for fraud victims to bring their complaints and pursue possible charges against the people who victimized them.

Pimentel has been very passionate about his advocacy against poll cheating and he said that this was the reason why he left the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the coalition led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

Pimentel was vocal against UNA’s decision to include former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in its senatorial slate for next year.

Zubiri resigned from his post in 2011, saying he could no longer take the baseless accusations against him over alleged irregularities in the 2007 senatorial elections.

Pimentel said ordinary citizens who supported him in his ideals prompted him to create the movement as a vehicle for his anti-cheating campaign.

“With KPM or the Kontra Pandaraya Movement, we hope to get rid of all forms of fraud both in the government service and the private sector and assure the public that they have an ally who is willing to protect them against cheats,” Pimentel said.

Aside from election cheating, Pimentel said the movement will also help victims of educational and pension plan fraud, incorrect utility billings, overpricing of basic goods and other types of deception being encountered by the Filipino people every day.

Pimentel hopes to get the support of lawyers and concerned citizens to join him in KPM.

He also called on organizations and individuals to participate in the movement in a bid to discourage or catch unscrupulous companies and individuals preying on the unsuspecting public.

Pimentel said he believes all forms of cheating can be eliminated with the help of the public and the media.