Bohol survey: Vote-buying rate rising

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – The practice of vote-buying and vote-selling is going higher and expected to be massive and more expensive with an average of P500 per voter, according to the Bohol Poll 2013 conducted from March 2 to 22.

Vote-buying is referred to as “inangayan” (sharing) and “uwan-uwan” in the Boholano dialect, the survey indicated.

In age bracket, the older a voter is, the lesser amount he or she receives, said Maria Paz Espiritu of the Bohol Poll 2013 by Holy Name University Research Center during the presentation last week.

“A voter, at 18-24 age range, is likely to receive P700 (median) or P1,000 (mode). But if a voter aged between 45 and above, he/she is to receive P300 (median) and P500 (mode),” according to Espiritu..

In reaction to this data, Comelec provincial election supervisor Leonil Castillano said the poll body may be inutile after all in cracking down the immoral and illegal practice of vote-buying, but not if only the people or voters cooperate to stop it.

Castillano, during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting presided by Gov.Edgar Chatto at a restaurant here last April 16, said the Comelec could not guarantee it can stop the perennial vote-buying unless the people collaborate.

Under the law, the Comelec appeared helpless in running after the perpetrators of vote-buying since the receiver is included in the charge against the giver. But now, the receiver or voter may avail himself of the government-sponsored witness protection program as provided for by the amended law.

For now, Comelec will continue with its voter’s education via DyRD in the morning and DyTR in the afternoon, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency headed by Rey Chiu, said Castilano.

Monsignor Leonardo Medroso, bishop of the Tagbilaran diocese who attended the PPOC meeting, strongly endorsed the voters education, saying, “We should talk to the public more.”  (FREEMAN)