DOJ hopes TF Kontra Bigay will encourage reports of vote buying

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday expressed hope that Task Force Kontra Bigay will encourage the public to report cases of vote-buying.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Guevarra said the filing of vote-buying cases is limited as of this time despite rumors.

“We’re hoping na with this Task Force initiated by the Comelec ay magkalakas loob ang mga tao na lumapit doon sa kaukulang agencies na members nitong Task Force para i-report at mag sumbong tungkol sa vote buying (the public would have the courage to report vote buying incidents),” he said.

“Ine-expect namin ‘yan and we’re hoping na dadami ‘yung nagrereklamo (We are expecting that and we're hoping more people would file a complaint),” he added.

Further, he said the reports can be done anonymously for security reasons.

Guevara said vote-buying has two elements—the act, or the giving or promising of something of value to a voter, and intention.

“Kung ang intensyon nung pagbibigay o pangangako ay para ma-induce ‘yung (if the intention of giving or promising money is to induce the) voter to vote for or against a particular candidate or person...the combination of those two elements will make up the offense of vote buying,” he said.

According to Guevarra, both the individual buying votes and those accepting the money may be found liable under the Omnibus Election Code.

He said the individual handing out the money may be charged first.

“Kung later on ay magsasalita siya at sasabihin na siya ay inutusan lamang nung kandidatong si ganito, si ganito, ‘yung pera ay inabot sa kanya mismo nung kandidato or nung kanang kamay nung kandidato… then that will be the beginning of an expanded investigation that will include mismo ‘yung kandidato,” he said.

(If later on the one giving money will talk and say that he has been ordered by a certain candidate or staff of a candidate, then that will be the beginning of an expanded investigation that will include the candidate.)

Meanwhile, Guevarra said the giving of aid is not wrong.

“Pero kung ‘yan ay maliwanag at makikita sa surrounding circumstances na ang objective at diretsahan sinasabi na iboto mo si ganon or wag mo iboto si ganon (but if it is clear in the surrounding circumstances that the objective of giving aid is for the voter to vote or not to vote a certain candidate), then that will be a form of vote buying that will be punishable under the Omnibus Election Code,” he said.

The DOJ has said that the task force will be given the highest priority.

Commissioner Aimee Ferolino has been designated head of the task force.—AOL, GMA News