PNP readies mechanisms vs cashless vote-buying in 2022
MECHANISMS are being readied to prevent vote-buying using online banking or cash transfer mobile applications which may be practiced by rogue candidates in the 2022 elections, Philippine National Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said yesterday.
According to the top cop, they will start dialogues with concerned agencies regarding the so-called ‘cashless vote-buying’ as the election season comes near.
“Hindi po malabong mangyari ito dahil nakagawian na rin po ang cashless transactions lalo ngayong may pandemya. Talagang maiisip ito ng mga taong nagplaplanong manghikayat sa publiko na ibenta ang kanilang boto,” Gen. Eleazar explained.
“Monitoring vote-buying activities in the 2022 elections will really be a great challenge to us but I assure the voting public that we will put in place safeguards against this practice,” he added.
Gen. Eleazar said the PNP would start reaching out to concerned agencies, including the Commission on Elections, so that mechanisms will be put up to counter vote-buying via electronic money transfer services.
“Bubuo po tayo ng mekanismo hinggil dito. Pero magiging malaking tulong po kung tayo mismo ang magsumbong sa mga otoridad ng mga ganitong gawain,” he said.
The PNP chief urged voters not to engage in this kind of activity as well as to report if they have information about individuals using this form of electoral fraud.
Vote-buying and vote-selling are violations under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.
“I urge the public to be vigilant and report to authorities if they have information on vote-buying done through online platforms. Tulungan ninyo kaming mapanatiling malinis at maayos ang gagawing halalan,” he said.
“Tandaan din po natin na ang mga politikong bibili ng boto ay walang magandang hangarin para sa bayan at panay pansariling interes lamang ang pangangalagaan. Oras na makaupo ang mga ito ay tiyak na babawiin lang ang nagastos niya na ipinangbili ng inyong boto,” Gen. Eleazar stressed.
