With the start of the campaign period in Thursday, Oct. 19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded the candidates of the infractions that may be considered as vote-buying or vote-selling in the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

In a statement, the DILG noted that owning or delivering coins, cash, cards, pay envelopes, bags, groceries, tokens or any other things of value including sample ballots or other campaign materials are prohibited during the BSKE campaign.

The DILG stated that providing or promising things to any individual in exchange for votes are also considered election violations.

It added election regulations only allow each BSKE candidate to get the services of two watchers at the most in each polling precinct that would render duty in shifts.

Also prohibited are “ang pagkakaroon ng mga blangkong orihinal na balota sa araw ng halalan, maliban sa mga pinahintulutan ng COMELEC (Commission on Elections); Iba pang katulad na mga pangyayari (Having blank original ballots on election day, except for those allowed by the COMELEC, other similar instances),’ the DILG pointed out.

The DILG urged the BSKE candidates and other concerned parties to read the “Official COMELEC Primer ng Committee on Kontra Bigay” about vote-buying and vote-selling for the Oct. 30 Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. 

On Oct. 11, the DILG and the COMELEC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to combat ‘vote-buying and vote-selling’ in the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.

“The BSKE election campaign period will be from Oct. 19 to 28, 2023,’’ the DILG noted.

In signing the MOA, Abalos and COMELEC chairman George Erwin Garcia vowed to work together with other government agencies, citizens’ arms, and other stakeholders to ensure the  honest and peaceful conduct of the BSKE elections.

"We're ready to support COMELEC  to safeguard the ballot.  Labanan natin ang pagbili at pagbebenta ng boto, isang pinakamasamang kanser ng lipunan (Let us fight vote buying and vote selling, which is the worst cancer in the society),’’ Abalos said.

Under the MOA, the COMELEC and DILG will jointly train the DILG and local government personnel to identify and gather evidence on election offenses.

These agencies shall also spearhead an information campaign on vote-buying and vote-selling in all LGUs. 

The DILG explained that vote-buying and vote-selling, as defined in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), refer to offering money or anything of value to induce anyone to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote.