By Betheena Kae Unite
Children as young as 10 years old were allegedly used by candidates to distribute campaign leaflets inside the polling places in Bacolod City on the day of elections.
(Juan Carlo de Vela / MANILA BULLETIN)
Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed this during a press briefing at the Commission on Elections (Comelec), citing a report which said that children were used to distribute campaign leaflets, an act prohibited under the election law.
"I also note that in Bacolod City children as young or even below 10 years old were being used to distribute campaign leaflets inside the polling school premises. And this is one tactic of candidates that they think they can get away with," Guanzon said.
"Well, we have those leaflets and the names that appear on those leaflets are liable under our election law, and complaints should be filed against them by any person, by any citizen," the official added.
Guanzon also noted that "other forms of intimidation and technique were being used in other provinces in Region 6, 7, and 8 that is alarming."
"Threats are being used against candidates to withdraw. This is election violence of a subtle but obvious form that should be recorded and reported as election violence," Guanzon said.
All election violence and violation, the commissioner said, should be reported and backed up with evidence and witnesses in order for the cases to prosper.
"I would like to request all of you to please report any form of election violence today and up to tomorrow," Guanzon appealed.