Comelec task force kontra vote-buying, binuo

ni Lolet Abania | March 23, 2022

Bubuo ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) ng isang task force na siyang mag-iimbestiga sa mga reports hinggil sa mga insidente ng vote-buying o pamimili ng boto.

Sa isang interview ngayong Miyerkules kay Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, sinabi nitong inatasan na nila ang kanilang field personnel para magsagawa ng agarang imbestigasyon at mga reports tungkol sa mga reklamo ng vote-buying sa maraming lugar sa bansa.

“Even without this task force to be created by the Commission on Elections, definitely to be created today in our en banc deliberation, even without [this], the Comelec had already instructed our field personnel in [areas],” saad ni Garcia.

Aminado naman si Garcia na kailangan pa rin na mayroong pormal na reklamo na maihahain sa Comelec bago nila aksyunan ang anumang alegasyon sa mga kandidato, kung saan nakabase sa kongkretong ebidensiya na iprinisinta sa kanila, para makapagsampa ng reklamo o kaso sa mga ito.

Ang vote-buying at pagbebenta nito, ani Garcia, “criminal acts punishable under the law, thus those alleging vote buying should file their complaints before the Comelec itself.”

“We are still hoping and praying and pleading to those who would like to file cases before the Comelec to please file the necessary complaint so that at least we can study the evidence presented. We can require the respondent to answer the allegations thrown against them,” sabi ng bagong itinalagang opisyal ng Comelec.

“If indeed these were committed, these are criminal acts and these are punishable under 261-A of the Omnibus Election Code. Vote-buying is a criminal act. Vote selling is a criminal act. Even if the election had already been concluded, the Comelec should still proceed with these cases,” ayon pa kay Garcia.