PNP asked to look into vote-buying allegations
WITH 12 days to go before Election Day, presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson said he already received incident reports about vote-buying and voter terrorism or acts of intimidation, which he already brought to the attention of a top official from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Lacson revealed this information during his town hall meeting in Bangued, Abra where local government officials and residents personally expressed their concerns with him regarding the possible escalation of violence in the province enroute to the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.
“Over lunch I was in a telephone conversation with the top police official not only in Abra, not only in CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), but ‘yung tinatawag nating what we call DIPO,” Lacson told the Abreños on Tuesday (April 26), referring to the PNP Directorates for Integrated Police Operations.
“And I asked him to please come over and see for himself the situation here because I already have been told ng problema tungkol sa about the problems on vote buying, tungkol sa about the terrorism ng mga botante of voters just what you have shared with us this afternoon,” he added.
Lacson said he has been assured by the PNP official he spoke with that they will look into these concerns. He also reiterated his earnest appeal to the electorate of Abra to avoid electing politicians with a history of corruption, deceit and other character traits unworthy of a leader.
“Pagpunta natin sa polling places, isipin na kaagad natin ito bang iboboto natin politician o public servant? It’s about time na ang piliin natin public servant, hindi ‘yung politician dahil ang connotation ng politician lagi tayong pinagsasamantalahan,” he said.
Lacson underscored this message, especially to the members of the youth sector who attended his public gathering. He also advised them to educate other voters even if they are older than them to be more discerning in choosing their next sets of leaders.
“Kayo ‘yung sinabi ni Jose Rizal na hope of the motherland, of the fatherland, so act like one. And, you know, i-educate natin ‘yung maski mas matanda sa atin. Medyo i-educate natin na this is for us, this is not about you anymore, this is about us. And please choose our next leaders, choose our next leaders properly, mag-discern po tayo,” Lacson appealed to the youth sector.
