Senators oppose Comelec order limiting cash withdrawals

Several senators have voiced opposition to the order of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to limit cash withdrawals supposedly to prevent vote-buying in the May 13 midterm elections. In separate messages to the media, Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, Senators Ralph Recto, Panfilo Lacson, and Francis Pangilinan joined bankers in criticizing the poll body for the order that prohibits cash withdrawals of more than P100,000 in a single day and the carrying of more than P500,000. Recto, chair of the Senate ways and means committee, said the order "will have an adverse impact on the entire economy." "It will not stop or minimize vote buying [so] why make it difficult for everyone transacting with banks and others when most are not involved in political activity?" he asked. 'Swashbuckling' Comelec Sotto, for his part, said "not everyone is involved or even interested in elections." "I wish the Comelec was less swashbuckling in their moves. It can be compared to a security guard given an area to man, he thinks its his kingdom," he said. Lacson said the Comelec order is "violative" of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). "There is a section exempting candidates from the provisions of AMLA particularly on the threshold amount deposited and withdrawn during the election period. A mere Comelec reso cannot contravene the law," he said. According to Section 16 of Republic Act 9160 or AMLA, it "shall not be used for political persecution or harassment or as an instrument to hamper competition in trade and commerce." Punish vote buyers instead Pangilinan, for his part, said the Comelec should instead focus on prosecuting vote buyers instead of trying to push for a cash ban. "The Comelec should... cause the filing of criminal and administrative charges and the disqualification of vote-buying politicians before election day. It is a more effective way of putting an end to this practice," he said. "We have received reports in various parts of the country that vote buying is now taking place. If only the Comelec disqualified candidates linked to vote buying early on, then politicians would think twice before attempting to buy votes. Ensuring the sanctity of the ballot is most basic and most fundamental in safeguarding our democracy," he added. President Benigno Aquino III has already ordered Cabinet officials to review the poll body's controversial order. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News