As the 45-day campaign period for local candidates kicks off, Malacañang reminded the public not to engage in buying and selling of votes for the upcoming May 2022 elections.

In a virtual Palace briefing on Friday, March 25, Communications Undersecretary Kris Ablan said vote-buying and vote-selling are "prohibited acts."

"The Palace reminds the Filipino people that vote-buying and vote-selling are prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code. Bawal pong tumanggap at bawal din po bumili ng boto (It is illegal to sell and buy votes)," Ablan said.

"Anyone found guilty of these prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election Code will face penalties of imprisonment and fine," he added.

Under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, vote-buying and selling are "any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community to induce anyone or the public, in general, to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party."

Also likely to be charged are "any person, association, corporation, group or community who solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment, public or private, for any of the foregoing considerations."