The Commission on Elections is eyeing the implementation of what it refers to as “money ban” in a bid to fight vote buying for the barangay and Sagguniang Kabataan (BSKE) in October this year.
Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said this year’s election money ban is different from what was implemented in 2013 elections wherein the withdrawal of cash from the bank was limited to a maximum of P100,000.
“We will not prevent the withdrawal of cash more than P500,000. What we would prohibit is the carrying of P500,000 especially when the campaign period starts,” said Garcia in an interview after his meeting with top security officials of the country in preparation for the barangay polls.
“Carrying P500,000 daily is not normal a few days before the election day. So we will presume that those carrying that amount are engage in vote-buying activities,” he added.
Under the “money ban” implemented during the May 2013 polls, the Comelec prohibited the withdrawal of huge sums of money at least five days before the election day.
The Comelec resolution that implemented such policy was questioned before the Supreme Court but Garcia said the High Court has no definite ruling on the petition filed.
He argued that the petition was only rendered moot and academic when it remained unresolved after the May 2013 elections.
“That means that the Supreme Court has no decision that prohibits the implementation of the money ban. So that’s what the Comelec would do (for this year’s barangay elections) to prevent vote buying,” said Garcia.
Exemption
Garcia, however, said that there would be exemptions on the “money ban” implementation.
First, he said cashiers and other employees that normally like company finance officers carry such money would be exempted.
But he said those who would be caught must prove that carrying a huge sum of money a few days before the election day is related to the job assigned to them by their respective companies.
Those who would fail to justify it, Garcia said, would be charged with vote buying and other related election offenses.
PNP’s take
Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief information officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said they have committed to assist in the implementation by setting up checkpoints in strategic areas especially five days before the election day.
But he was quick to clarify that the normal checkpoint rules apply, particularly the Plain View Doctrine” rule which prohibits cops from conducting inspection inside the vehicles, bags and other belongings of the public.
“Policemen are prohibited from doing it except if there is a permission from the owner,” said Maranan.
How about e-wallets?
Garcia said they are continuously coordinating with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas(BSP) in connection with e-wallets that include GCash and Paymaya.
“We have our own presumptions on this (use of e-wallets). For instance, if a person sends money to around 20 people during the campaign period, we would presume that that person is engaged in vote-buying,” said Garcia.