Complaints filed before task force vs. vote-buying

MANILA – At least two vote-buying complaints have been filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after the creation of a task force that will investigate the illegal activity.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, Commissioner George Erwin Garcia identified the complaint filed by the Koalisyon Novalenyo Kontra Korapsyon and the Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan ng Bagbag against Rose Lin, who is running as representative of the fifth district of Quezon City.

Garcia said more complaints against vote-buying could be filed in the coming days.

“These initial cases are the beginning of everything. A warning to one and all that we have an awakened citizenry with the highest sense of maturity. However, the presumption of innocence should never be compromised as mandated by the Constitution,” he said.

The inter-agency “Task Force Kontra Bigay” is composed of the Comelec, Department of Justice (DOJ), Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The task force is headed by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino.

Comelec’s planned crackdown on election-related fake news also received support from the DOJ.

DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said their law enforcement agencies will back the poll body but so far, they have not received request for assistance.

“(The Comelec has) not yet (requested DOJ assistance). But as in the case of the Comelec’s campaign against vote-buying, the DOJ is ready to extend help to the Comelec. After all, purveying false news that affect public interest or public order is a criminal offense that falls squarely within the mandate of the DOJ/NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” Guevarra said in a text message.