Poll official issues warning to those planning to do vote buying via e-payment system


Warning to those who will try vote buying via the electronic payment system in the May 2022 polls.

Comelec/MB

An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said this can be traced.

"I heard about this sort of a Gcash system, and I talked about this with the UP school economics alumni, and I asked their help, because they are bankers there and experts in finance," Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in a webinar Monday, August 16.

"They said that the Central Bank can actually monitor this Gcash style or method of vote buying," she added.

The poll official said this should serve as a warning to those planning to do such style of vote buying.

"This is a warning to politicians, know that you're going to be found out," Guanzon said.

"If you think you're 10 steps smarter than us, this vote buying through GCash is traceable by the Bangko Sentral," she added.

Vote-buying is defined as any person, who gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.

It is considered an election offense, which carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification to hold public office.