Palace: Vote-buying allegations vs. Bong Go hard to prove

Malacañang on Tuesday challenged those accusing Senate hopeful Christopher "Bong" Go of vote-buying to file charges against him.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after poll watchdogs National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and Kontra Daya urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate Go for allegedly giving cash assistance to fire victims during the campaign period.

The distribution of cash donations reportedly took place in Sta. Ana, Manila on February 18 and in Barangay South Cembo in Makati City on March 5. The campaign period for senatorial candidates started on February 12.

"Why don’t they file if that is what they believe in?" Panelo said at a news conference.

The Omnibus Election Code penalizes vote-buying which is manifested through giving, offering or promising anything of value "in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election."

But Panelo said that the allegations against Go, a former top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, may be difficult to prove.

"You know I looked at the provision, baka mahirapan eh. Kasi what it says there is ‘that will induce the voter to be influenced by what he gives.’ Eh mukhang iba ang situation dito kay Bong Go sapagka’t these are donations and they are fire victims," said Panelo, who is also the chief presidential legal counsel.

He also cited reports that it was not Go himself who handed out the cash donations.

"I don’t think Bong Go will be violating any election offense," Panelo said.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said explicit solicitation of votes while giving assistance to fire victims was not necessary in proving a case of vote-buying.

Panelo responded by pointing out that only the poll body can decide on the issue.

The Comelec was also asked earlier by opposition senatorial candidates to investigate the reported placing of shirts printed with Go's name inside the kit for participants in the nationwide assembly of barangay leaders last month.

Go has denied knowledge about the polo shirts bearing his name being placed in the kits. He said organizers of the event should be the ones asked about the matter.

He also reminded his supporters not to use his name without his name or consent.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also denied senatorial candidate and Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano's claim that government funds were used for the polo shirts. — BM, GMA News