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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOJ to form composite team to help Comelec's drive against vote buying

DOJ to form composite team to help Comelec's drive against vote buying

Published Mar 29, 2022 12:40 pm

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra (2)

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra is set to form a composite team to help the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) investigate and run after those involved in vote buying.

“I intend to create a DOJ composite team from the NPS , NBI , PAO , and DOJAC (main and field offices) for the Comelec’s inter-agency task force against vote buying,” Guevarra said.

“Considering the importance of the forthcoming elections to the survival and recovery of the nation, I will direct the DOJ contingent to give the highest priority to this campaign in the next 40 days,” he said.

Last Friday, March 25, the Comelec announced that it is creating a multi-agency task force that will act on reports of vote buying and expressed hope to activate the task force this week.

The Comelec said the task force will include the DOJ, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, NBI, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, vote buying or selling is an election offense.

Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code states that it is considered vote buying or vote selling if:

“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 in order 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.”

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