Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Tuesday, Feb, 18, all police units to strictly monitor in their respective areas the possession or distribution of money, goods, or campaign materials intended to influence voters for the May 12 midterm elections.

He said the order is in support of the launching of the “Kontra Bigay” by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure clean, honest, and fair elections this year by intensifying the efforts against any form of vote-buying.

"As the nation prepares for the 2025 elections, the PNP stands firm in its duty to protect the sanctity of the electoral process. Our personnel will not only implement but wholeheartedly embrace the ‘Kontra Bigay’ campaign, ensuring a clean, honest, and fair election for every Filipino voter," said Marbil.

The advocacy for clean elections that was launched on Feb. 7, mandated law enforcement agencies, including the PNP, the military and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to conduct surveillance, validate reports, and take decisive action against electoral violations.

Under the expanded “Kontra Bigay 2.0”, Marbil said presumed acts of vote-buying and vote-selling—such as the possession or distribution of money, goods, or campaign materials intended to influence voters—will be strictly monitored.

Vote-buying and vote-selling, as defined under Article 12 of the Omnibus Election Code, are punishable by imprisonment of one to six years. Complaints may be filed at Comelec's main office or at designated Kontra Bigay Centersnationwide.

‘Individuals caught in the act may face immediate warrantless arrest by law enforcement agencies,” said Marbil.

Part of the campaign, according to Marbil, is the conduct of information campaigns and the conduct of investigation and acting on reports of electoral fraud.