Comelec sees hike in vote-buying reports as election day nears

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

VIOLATIONS. Aside from campaign materials in non-common poster areas, the Commission on Elections continues to receive reports of vote buying and abuse of state resources. There are already 309 complaints as of Friday (May 2, 2025). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting to be “flooded” with reports on vote buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) as the May 12 midterm elections draw nearer.

According to Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr.

, who chairs the poll body’s Committee on Kontra Bigay, they expect more illegal activities to be reported during the final week of the campaign period.

“We do anticipate that we will be flooded with vote buying and ASR reports in the coming days with only 10 days left before election day,” Maceda said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

He urged the public to report to the Comelec such acts via email (committee.kontrabigay@comelec.gov.ph) or through the poll body’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/comelec.ph/).

“Help us by being our bodycams… our eyes and ears. Together, let us get rid of these termites of the democracy — vote buying and abuse of state resources,” Maceda said.

According to the poll official, they have so far received 309 complaints of vote buying and ASR activities.

Calabarzon had the most number of reports with 64, followed by Central Luzon with 54, National Capital Region with 52, Mimaropa with 20 and Bicol Region with 20.

Maceda said majority of reported vote-buying acts involved distribution of cash and assorted goods or valuable objects.

He noted that the current 2025 figure is lower than the 1,226 reports received during the May 2022 elections.

Subjects of complaints are issued show cause orders by the committee to allow them to explain their side.

Based on Comelec data as of April 30, the Committee on Kontra Bigay has issued show cause orders against 213 candidates and party-list groups.

Of the number, 130 involved alleged vote buying/selling while 67 involved ASRs.