By Junex Doronio
VOTE-BUYING IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH.
This is the essence of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos’ stern warning to candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this year.
Abalos on Sunday, eve of the October 30 BSKE, told those vying for Barangay and SK posts to bear in mind Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code that candidates who are caught violating vote buying may be punished with imprisonment of up to six (6) years and perpetual disqualification from public office.
“Hinihiling ko sa publiko na maging mapagmatyag at mag-ulat sa Comelec o DILG kung may mapansin silang presinto na umaapaw sa mga poll watchers. Iimbestigahan natin iyan nang maigi at gagawan ng kaukulang aksyon,” the DILG chief said.
Abalos said it has been observed that some poll bets would appoint more watchers who are actually the ones deployed to buy votes.
He reminded the candidates to appoint only the right number of poll watchers so that they are not accused of vote buying.
Abalos stressed that under Comelec Resolution No. 10946, Section 25 (K) there can be a presumption of vote buying in “hiring or appointing more than two (2) watchers per precinct per candidate.”
(ai/mnm)
