Comelec warns of vote-buying in coastal villages

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – A ranking official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here warned candidates against paying for the boat fares of residents living in coastal villages of Bulacan to apparently boost their chance in the coming elections.

Lawyer Elmo Duque, provincial election supervisor, said candidates found committing the offense could be charged for violation of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

Section 261 of the OEC states that “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.”

However, some candidates are apparently ignoring the law. 

In the coastal town of Hagonoy, several candidates conduct sorties in the island villages of Tibaguin and Pugad, which can only be reach by boat. 

Some candidates rented motorboats, or just ride on passenger boats. Many of them reportedly pay for the fare of the residents so they would vote for them.