LENTE reports vote-buying, poll offenses

MANILA, Philippines - Despite opening "generally smooth and peaceful," this year's barangay polls were still marred by several incidents involving election offenses, the watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) said Monday.

The group said it has observed recurring problems such as unlawful electioneering, unauthorized entry of candidates in the polling places and disenfranchisement.

recurring problems: missing names, unlawful electioneering, vote buying. #brgyeleksyon2013 #halalan2013

— LENTE Philippines (@lente_ph) October 28, 2013

"While most of the polling places were able to open, several precincts reportedly did not open on time due to the late arrival of ballots and other election paraphernalia," LENTE said in a release.

Citing field reports from volunteers, LENTE said vote-buying and selling incidents were reported in Ilocos Sur, Palawan and Jole. Campaigning and unlawful electioneering were also reported in Tiniguiban, Palawan; Guadalupe, Makati; and Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro.

In Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, LENTE said minors were allegedly used to distribute campaign materials at the gates of the polling centers. Candidates and their relatives were also reportedly seen loitering in Santiago City, Isabela and Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental.

While accessible polling places were set up in some areas for persons with disabilities and pregnant women, LENTE still expressed concern that "accessibility remains a key issue, with some poll centers having no express lane for senior citizens and PWDs.

In an interview on ANC, Philippine National Police spokesperson Senior Supt. Reuben Sindac said the conduct of Monday's elections has been "generally peaceful" so far.

Meanwhile, Henrietta de Villa of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) believes that the barangay elections this year has become partisan and more violent.

"The violence has really escalated. Vote-buying, too, and sadly, even vote-selling," said de Villa, who chairs the PPCRV "By baranggay na talaga. Nakakalungkot."

Read: PPCRV chair: 2013 Barangay polls more heated, politicized, expensive