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Comelec backs bill tagging vote-buying as heinous crime
Currently, vote-buying carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of the right to vote, and disqualification to hold public office. (Pexels photo)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday expressed its support for the measure seeking to declare vote-buying as a heinous crime.
“The Comelec, through Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, fully supports the passage of HB (House Bill) No. 1709 entitled “An Act Defining and Declaring Vote-Buying as a Heinous Crime”, authored and filed by Malasakit at Bayanihan Rep. Anthony Golez, Jr.,” said Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco in a statement.
Once the bill is approved, the penalty for such offense will be punishable by 20 to 40 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Laudiangco said the poll body is seeking to revisit the law, particularly Section 261 (a) of the Omnibus Election Code (BP Blg. 881, as amended), which provides for the definition of vote-buying and vote-selling.
“This specific recommendation is made insofar as the updating of the definition of vote-buying and vote-selling, to be more attuned to current times and situations, particularly encompassing vote-buying/selling via online or over-the-air fund-transfers, internet cash transmittals and other analogous modalities,” he said.
Laudiangco said an amendment to the definition will result in better criminal investigation and case build-up which will culminate in a “more effective and efficient prosecution” of offenders.
“(Chairperson) Garcia further stated that these ‘modernized’ modes of vote-buying/selling are nefariously designed to exploit the inherent loopholes of the outdated provisions of law, must be addressed without further delay,” he added.
He said the poll body also believes that the measure will serve as a more functional deterrent if includes an updated definition of vote-buying aside from its escalation as a heinous crime that will be meted with stiffer penalties.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is considered an election offense if one engages in vote-buying, wherein an individual gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value in order to induce the public to vote for or against any candidate.
Currently, vote-buying carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of the right to vote, and disqualification to hold public office.
As of June this year, the poll body said 17 complaints that involve alleged vote-buying and selling are set to undergo preliminary investigations.
RENE ROSE ORIOL
August 11, 2022 at 2:12 AM
Talamak ang Vote buying sa Pilipinas lalo na sa mga probinsya.karamihan sa atin ay tumatanggap tlaga ng pera galing sa mga kandidato.Praktikal ang mga pinoy mas inuuna nila ang kalam ng kanilang sikmura kesa ang dignidad. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay ay napipilitang ibenta ang kanilang boto.Dapat suruin at pag aralan muna ang batas na ito bago ipatupad. Dapat ang maparusahan ay ang kandidatong bumibili ng boto ndi ang mga botante dahil sila ay biktima lang ng kahirapan .Sinasamantala ng mga kandidato ang kahinaan ng mga botanteng mahihirap.
Celeste Moreno
August 11, 2022 at 6:25 AM
that vote buying is. really a problem for decades.It is passed from generations to generations,often those who are in the edge of poverty are the frequent fanatics of this wrongdoing.If this will be passed,this will do good,but only if the perpetrators get caught or will not passed the blame to anyone.It will need careful and accurate investigation.
Sonny Ramirez
August 11, 2022 at 6:28 AM
How do you ensure that those doing the vote buying are caught? A law that cannot be imposed is worse than no law at all. Work on how to impose it as well.
Mahina naman ang comelec in terms of investigation. Alam na alam na nila na may vote buying pero di naman sila kumikilos at takot din sa politiko.
Teresa Belmin
August 11, 2022 at 6:34 PM
Sabi nila ang Politika na ang isa sa pinakamadumi at pinakamagulo na pwedeng kasangkutan ng mga Politiko na gustong tumakbo at mamuno sa kanya kanya nilang nasasakupan kaya hindi na mawawala ang Vote buying na siyang talamak saan mang panig ng bansa.Wala namang mangyayaring vote buying kung magiging responsable ang bawat botante na pumili ng kaniyang kandidato base sa kredibilidad at kakayahang mamuno ng isang politiko kesa sa tumanggap at magpasilaw sA pera na ipinamimigay lalo sa pangangampanya.Para magkaroon ng malinis na Eleksyon dito sa atin dapat mahigpit na ipatupad ng COMELEC ang batas at mga hakbangin para mawala at maiwasan ang Vote buying.
Vincent John
August 11, 2022 at 8:09 PM
Bakit ngayon lang kung kelan tapos na ang eleksyon, maging man dapat ito ay gawin nang lifetime since vote buying are not legal way to get your votes, it is our voice rather. I hope that COMELEC will use man power because I know that when it comes to money, nothing can’t stop even the most billionare man in this world.