
A total of 158 vote-buying, vote-selling and abuse of state resources poll complaints have now been lodged before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against electoral candidates, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stated on Saturday, April 26.
DILG Assistant Secretary Jesi Lanete said that of the 158 complaints, 16 involved the distribution of financial assistance or "ayuda" and other similar forms of aid to the public, prohibited under Section 33 of Comelec Resolution 11104.
The DILG stressed that the distribution of "ayuda" by any candidate, their relatives within the second civil degree or their known supporters or employees during the election period is presumed to be an act of vote buying.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ C. Remulla has expressed support for the Comelec’s “Kontra Bigay” campaign, emphasizing that it should be paired with a strong “Kontra Tanggap” effort to address both sides of electoral misconduct. Regions with the most complaints are Region IV-A with 31, Region III with 30, and the National Capital Region with 24.
Following these reports, the DILG said that the Comelec issued show cause orders to 29 local candidates to allow them to respond to the complaints filed against them.
Lanete reminded all election candidates to refrain from engaging in vote buying, vote selling, and any form of abuse of government resources, warning that such acts could serve as grounds for disqualification.
“Ipapaalala lang po natin sa ating mga kandidato to strictly comply with the Comelec provisions against vote buying. And sa ating mga incumbent candidates, to prevent yung abuse of state resources (We are just reminding our candidates to strictly comply with the Comelec provisions against vote buying. And to our incumbent candidates to prevent the abuse of state resources),’’ Lanete said.
Lanete also reminded the public that even voters could face criminal charges under the Omnibus Election Code if they accept money or favors in exchange for their votes.