The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, August 10, said it fully supports the passage of House Bill No. 1709 entitled “An Act Defining and Declaring Vote-Buying as a Heinous Crime."

Filed by Malasakit at Bayanihan Rep. Anthony Golez, Jr, the bill seeks to escalate the election offense of vote-buying as a heinous crime and increase the penalty to 20 to 40 years.

In a statement, Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said given the thrust of the bill and the laudable intent of the legislature, Chairman George Garcia recommends a further revisit of the law, particularly Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

"This specific recommendation is made insofar as the updating of the definition of vote-buying and vote-selling, to be more attuned to current times and situations, particularly encompassing vote-buying/selling via online or over-the-air fund-transfers, internet cash transmittals and other analogous modalities," he said.

"Said re-definition will likewise pave the way for the conduct of better criminal investigation and case build-up, culminating to a more effective and efficient prosecution," added Laudiangco.

He said the poll chief said these “modernized” modes of vote-buying or selling are "nefariously designed to exploit the inherent loopholes of the outdated provisions of law, must be addressed without further delay."

Laudiamgco said Garcia also believes that the law will be more effective, and provide a more functional deterrent, if it includes "an updated definition of said election offense in conjunction with the Bill’s proposed escalation of vote-buying as a heinous crime coupled with stiffer penalties."