Comelec wary of vote-buying

The Commission on Elections said all candidates could be guilty of illegal posting of billboards, streamers and other campaign materials. No problem, that’s tolerable.

The real problem in Philippine elections is vote buying, Metro Comelec chief Ferdinand Rafanan said in a consultative meeting held yesterday at the Manila City Hall’s Katipunan for the peaceful conduct of the May 14 polls.

"The real problem is vote buying. I am saddened by the reaction of the people whenever we raise this issue. They say: "Everybody is happy about it, why complain?’ This is the real illness of Philippine politics," Rafanan said.

"There is a manifest violation of election laws and everybody should be embarrassed. The posters catch the attention of the Comelec because they embarrass us. The police, the Armed Forces, the non-government organizations, the teachers who compose some 60 percent percent of the election work force are embarrassed. Everybody should be embarrassed and everybody should do something about this," Rafanan told his audience of about 20 including the media covering the event.

"We appreciate the candidates’ concern (for the violations) but we obviously violate the election laws because of our lack of education. We should begin somewhere, make a little resolve starting now," he said.