Lawmaker pushes for 10-year jail term for poll law offenders

Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman is pushing for a ten-year imprisonment for any person committing elections offenses or acts prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code thru violence, coercion, intimidation, and force or threat.

In filing House Bill No. 1882, Lagman sought to uphold the people’s democratic right to vote and be voted for public office and to promote the rule of law.

“Various election offenses denigrate the integrity and sanctity of the ballot and when attended by violence, coercion, intimidation, force or threats restrain the electorate’s freedom and opportunity to put to office the candidate/s of their choice,” Lagman said.

Lagman further proposed that any person who commits an election offense or prohibited act under the Omnibus Election Code which act or acts also constitute a felony under the Revised Penal Code, shall be prosecuted separately under the Omnibus Election Code and Revised Penal Code.

“If any of the crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code is committed in connection with an election or political exercise, such election-related element shall be appreciated as an aggravating circumstance in imposing appropriate penalty,” Lagman said.