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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gibo deplores vote-buying: It pollutes our democracy

Gibo deplores vote-buying: It pollutes our democracy

Published Sep 29, 2023 03:05 am
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(L-R) Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed a memorandum of agreement that aims to combat the deplorable practice of vote buying on Sept. 28, 2023 at the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. (Photo by DND)

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro condemned the practice of vote-buying whenever the country holds elections as it "pollutes our democracy."

Teodoro made the remark as the DND committed to help the government in ensuring the safe and peaceful conduct of the Baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30.

"Ito po ay talagang talamak na nagpo-pollute sa ating demokrasya. Ang tao, naiimpluwensyahan ng mga bagay na hindi kanais-nais kaya po ang fault niyan ay nasa namimigay (This chronically pollutes our democracy. A person is influenced with bad things that's why the fault is on the giver)," Teodoro said.

According to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), vote-buying is done to "induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate (or withhold his vote in the election for 'vote for' or 'against' any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar process of a political party" usually in exchange of money or anything of value such as employment; franchise or grant that is either public or private; a direct or indirect expenditure; or to cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community.

The defense chief said the agency will work with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring that the upcoming polls will be a success to avoid internal instability.

"Kapag hindi po successful itong baranggay elections na ito na sinasabi nga po natin ay foundational, sisiklab na naman ang internal instability natin (If the baranggay elections, which we said is foundational, would not be successful, then internal instability would flare up)," Teodoro said.

He said a successful election would also help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in focusing on their equally important duties in upholding the country's territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea.

To help them reach their goal, the DND signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Comelec's Committee on Kontra Bigay on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The Committee on Kontra Bigay aims to "combat the deplorable practice of vote buying and calls for a collective effort to eradicate its influence on the democratic process."

The agreement was signed by Teodoro and Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, and witnessed by Commisioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., commissioner-in-charge of Committe on Kontra Bigay, and AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Meanwhile, a separate MOA was forged by Brawner and Garcia whhere the Comelec deputizes the AFP for the purpose of ensuring a "free, orderly, and peaceful" BSKE.

Brawner also received a cheque amounting to P40 million from the Comelec as support fund for the military's administrative, operational, and logistical needs so it can perform its functions relative to the upcoming elections.

Related Tags

Gilberto Teodoro Jr. BSKE 2023 AFP DND Commission on Elections
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