Comelec to impose 'money ban' for BSKE 2023

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it will impose a “money ban” as acts of “presumed” vote buying and selling for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) this year are prohibited.

In an ambush interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the carrying and transporting of around P500,000 cash are prohibited five days before and on election day.

“Ang atin po ipro-prohibit at ipa-punish ay 'yung pagdadala ng P500,000 lalo na kapag pumasok 'yung period ng kampanya. 'Yan po naman 'yung panahon ng pagbibili ng boto,” he said.

(What we will prohibit is the carrying of P500,000 especially during the campaign period. That is the time for vote buying.)

He noted that people whose jobs involve carrying money such as cashiers, payroll workers, among others are exempted from the prohibition. He said they should present an ID as proof of their employment.

In line with this, Garcia said checkpoints will also be set up for the money ban.

Violators will face a complaint for vote buying with possible imprisonment of one to six years.

According to Garcia, the Comelec had imposed a money ban in 2015 but it only covered the withdrawal of cash.

During briefing on BSKE 2023, the Comelec said that for the first time it will prohibit acts of “presumed” vote buying and selling such as:

• possessing or delivery of any coins, notes, monies, cards, pay envelopes, bags, groceries, tokens or anything of value, with sample ballots or other campaign materials in favor of or against a candidate;
• offering or promising something of value in consideration for someone's vote;
• long lines or queues of registered voters/persons for the distribution of money, discount, grocery items, and other goods to induce the persons to vote for or against a candidate or group;
• house to house election campaign which involves the giving of money, discount cards, grocery items and such other goods, to induce the persons to vote for or against a candidate or group;
• holding bingo games, talent shows or other similar activities that involve the distribution of prizes by the candidates or their supporters or by any person in which the names of the candidates are mentioned and their photos are displayed;
• employing the "hakot” system or the gathering of two or more registered voters to a specific place before election day and on election day, for the purpose of distributing money or anything of value and/ or sample filled-out ballots;
• causing the splitting of the amount of at least P20,000.00 to smaller denominations of P100.00, P50.00 or P20.00, during the period of five days before election day and on election day, except when necessary to or in connection with the occupation or business of the possessor;
• conducting medical missions, legal aid services, feeding programs or any caravan offering any or all of these services in a certain barangay or locality, in which the names of the candidates are mentioned and their photos are displayed;
• giving and distributing and receiving any assistance or ayuda except those which are normally given  to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, education, burial and such other similar assistance, during the campaign period, day before election day and election day;
• hiring or appointing of more than two (2) watchers per precinct per candidate, who shall serve alternately;
• possessing on election day, of indelible ink or any chemical that may remove indelible ink such as but not limited to acetone, nail polish remover or paint thinner, except when necessary to the occupation of the possessor and those authorized by the Commission; and
• possessing of blank original ballots during election day, except those authorized by the Commission.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec has monitored early campaigning for BSKE 2023 like the display of posters of possible candidates.

“Meron na po. Ngayon nga po wala pang filing candidacy, hindi pa sila kandidato, nakapaskil na pagkalaki-laki na mga tarpaulin na walang nakalagay na iboto sila or vote for pero halatang-halata mo nagpapakilala isang grupo pa,” he said.

(We have monitored early campaigning. Even though there is no filing of candidacy yet, they already displayed big posters. The posters don’t say vote for them but it was obvious that they are introducing themselves.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP), for its part, reminded law enforcement units that only visual search is allowed at the checkpoint. Instructing drivers to open the compartments and even the bags inside the vehicles is prohibited.

PNP personnel who will be stationed at the checkpoints will wear body cameras.

“Plain view doctrine. Sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagtingin sa loob ng sasakyan,” Police Brigadier General Redrico, PNP PIO Chief, said in Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report.

Garcia on Sunday encouraged voters to file complaints against candidates for BSKE 2023 who will campaign even before the official campaign period starts on October 19.

The BSKE 2023 is set to be held on October 30. —with Sundy Locus/KG/BM, GMA Integrated News