Candidates alleged to be involved in vote buying in the Province of Iloilo are set to face a case for disqualification.

According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Iloilo Province, they received complaints from the Municipality of Dueñas that vote buying transpired in Barangay Pandan.

COMELEC Iloilo has launched an investigation into the complaints.

“Isa itong linya from the party-list down to the local elections. It can be penalized with imprisonment of one (1) year to six (6) years and disqualification from government appointments or public office,” Atty. Reinier Layson, COMELEC Iloilo election supervisor, said.

Aside from the cases in Dueñas, 15 other complaints in relation to vote-buying were received by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

“11 of which nakuha natin sa mga information na sini-share sa social media at ang lahat na na-gather natin na information, inaksyunan natin kaagad. Pinadalhan natin ng imbestigador sa area kung saan may natukoy na vote-buying activity,” said Police Major Rolando Araño, IPPO spokesperson.

Meanwhile, COMELEC Iloilo and IPPO have not monitored any election-related incidents, especially in deemed election hotspots in the province.

“Wala tayong na-record na anumang mga insidente especially na ma-relate sa ongoing na eleksyon,” Araño said.