Vote buying now worse than 2016 elections —Comelec commissioner Guanzon

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner on Sunday said the vote buying incidents in this year’s elections are worse compared to the previous elections in 2016.

“Mas mukhang malala ngayon kaysa 2016. 'Di ko lang alam kung ito dahil marami lang nahuli, pero sa reports talagang mas marami ngayon,” Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Guanzon: Pamimili ng boto o vote buying, mukhang mas malala ngayon kaysa 2016. .

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 12, 2019

According to Guanzon, the amount of bribe has increased this year. Guanzon said they received reports that P1,000 to P1,500 is being offered in exchange for votes.

“Saan ba galing ang mga pera na 'yan? Kung tutuusin, wala namang presidential candidate. Ibig sabihin, lokal 'to,” Guanzon said.

She said that no senatorial candidate has been linked to vote buying this year so far. According to her, all of the reports that they received only involved local candidates.

Because of vote buying, Guanzon said, voters’ minds became corrupt. The widespread incidents of vote buying have desensitized the voters of the illegality of such practice.

“Na-corrupt na 'yung utak ng mga voters na normal 'yan. Papaano nilang hindi sasabihin na ‘normal 'yan, kapag eleksyon, talagang meron,’” Guanzon said.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said more than 80 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in vote buying and selling in Metro Manila.

They may face one to six years imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office, and disenfranchisement or deprivation of their right to vote. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News