The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said voters should help end vote buying which it described as a very great evil.
"I hope those who love the country...will not sell their vote. Don't accept (money)," Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV chairman emeritus, said during the Laging Handa briefing Wednesday, Feb. 9.
"Even if you say that you will accept but will vote for another...that is still wrong," she added.
"Let's stop the practice of vote buying. Don't accept (money) and don't waste time on candidates who buy votes because that's a very great evil in elections," De Villa said.
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.