Comelec sets stricter measures vs vote-buying
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has empowered its Kontra Bigay Committee (KBC) to deter and prosecute not only those who buy and sell their votes but also those who abuse state resources (ASR).
Comelec Resolution No. 11104, promulgated on Jan. 28, defined the offense of ASR as one that “pertains to the misuse of government resources, whether material, human, coercive, regulatory, budgetary, media-related or legislative, for electoral advantage.”
ASR may be committed through the intervention of public officers and employees, exertion of undue influence on or use of public funds during an election campaign, and other prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code.
The resolution also introduces a new provision that imposes a total ban on the distribution of “ayuda” (assistance) at least 10 days before the elections.
Comelec Chair George Garcia on Friday led the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement with officials from various government agencies, the police, military, election watchdogs and mobile wallet companies that will be deputized as members of or to assist “KBC 2.0.”
“Let us make it difficult for them to buy votes,” he said. Garcia encouraged voters to refuse bribes from candidates, not vote for them and report them to the Comelec.
‘Make it difficult’
He said it would be up to the poll body to act on the complaint and file the case.
The Comelec chief said voters should be angry at politicians who use state resources “like it’s their pocket money” to buy votes, especially from the poor, or to distribute them to supporters.
The KBC, created through Comelec Resolution No. 10946 and promulgated in August 2023, is currently under Commissioner in Charge Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr.
Resolution 11104 granted the KBC the additional power to direct and supervise synchronized operations against vote-buying, vote-selling and ASR. The committee is also authorized to facilitate the filing of election offenses and disqualification cases against erring candidates, government employees and private individuals.
Total ban on ‘ayuda’
The new Comelec issuance mostly reiterated prohibitions mentioned in Resolution 10946 concerning warrantless arrests of vote buyers and sellers, money ban, and presumed acts of vote-buying and vote-selling.
A new provision, Section 33, imposes a total ban on the distribution of government ayuda, or financial assistance, through various programs known by acronyms Tupad, Akap, AICS and 4Ps 10 days before Election Day and on Election Day, except medical and burial aid normally given to qualified individuals.
Official financial assistance distributed by candidates who are incumbent officials or their spouses or members of their families within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity, or their known supporters or employees, during the period of total prohibition shall be presumed vote-buying and vote-selling, or ASR, as the case may be, according to the provision.
The KBC comprises more than 20 Comelec executives, national government agencies, civic organizations and election stakeholders. There are also regional, provincial, city and municipal committees.
