The Task Force Kontra Bigay of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the public on Saturday, May 7, the last day of the campaign period not only to report any incidents of vote buying as well as vote selling but to take part in the investigation.
In the statement from Commissioner Aimee Ferolino's office, she also urged the public to come out and actively participate in the investigation through the execution of an affidavit and submission of evidence.
She said that the successful prosecution of these cases will only be possible with the collaborative efforts not just of the Comelec and its partner agencies, but also with the public's help.
As of Saturday, the task force already has 10 active cases and more as they are continuously receiving numerous reports and complaints of vote buying through its official email address and Facebook page.
"We are also pleased to announce that with the cooperation of the IBP and LENTE, we have one possible case for vote buying as the complainant has already executed an affidavit and submitted pieces of evidence," the statement read.
Ferolino recently announced the activation of the Citizen's Complaint Center (CCC) where complaints on vote-buying and selling can be filed.
Ferolino said complaints may be sent to [email protected] or Konta Bigay Facebook page as well as the Office of the Election Officer, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Assistance Desk.
The said task force is composed of the Comelec, DOJ, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).