PNP: 20 vote-buying incidents reported so far on election day

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said 20 incidents of vote-buying have been reported in the country so far amid the 2022 polls.

“Ngayon nga as of 3 p.m., nadagdagan po ng anim yan, naging 20,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said at a press conference.

So far, Fajardo added that 10 of the incidents are now being investigated, three have been referred to the prosecutor’s office, and one has been filed before a court.

These incidents were reported in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, and the National Capital Region.

At least 15 suspects have been arrested while nine are still at large, according to Fajardo.

As of May 7, the Commission on Elections said it is investigating 10 cases of alleged vote-buying. These reports were sent to the Comelec through its  official email address and Facebook page.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, any person found guilty of any election offense shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years. Violators will also be denied the right to vote and are prohibited from entering public office.—LDF, GMA News