The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that 17 vote buying/selling cases have already been filed at the poll body in relation to the recent conduct of the May 2022 general elections.
There are already 17 "docketed verified complaint-affidavit for vote buying/selling" at the poll body's law department, said Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco in a statement on Friday, June 24.
"All 17 cases undergoing requisite preliminary investigation," said Laudiangco.
Laudiangco said that the number of cases may still increase.
“We have to remember that the prescription period for election offenses is five years from date of commission. Kaya pwede pa po mag file pa (So, cases may still be filed),” he said.
Based on the Omnibus Election Code, vote buying refers to any individual "who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value" in order "to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate."
"Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation," it stated.
"In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage," it added.
Meanwhile, aside from the 17 cases, Laudiangco also said that 113 “concerns” were also reported to the Comelec.
“The total number of concerns acted upon/ responded to 113 113,” he said.