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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG warns public: Vote buying, vote selling punishable under the law

DILG warns public: Vote buying, vote selling punishable under the law

Published May 2, 2025 11:39 am

As the May 12 midterm elections approach, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) cautioned the public that vote buying and vote selling are strictly prohibited and are punishable under the law.

In a statement, the DILG stressed that vote buying and vote selling are unlawful as stated in Section 261 of Republic Act 881 and Republic Act 6646 otherwise known as “The Electoral Reforms Law of 1987.”

The DILG defines “vote buying” as the move of individuals or groups that provide, offer or promise cash or any things of value in exchange for voting for their preferred candidates. It stated that “vote buying” also constitutes giving or promising employment or any job position and franchise either in public or private settings.

In the case of “vote selling,” the DILG said it is a process where a person, group, association, corporation, or community directly or indirectly asks or accepts cash or employment either in public or private entities in exchange for their votes.

“Ang vote buying at vote selling ay parehong may kaakibat na kaparusahan (Vote buying and vote selling both carry punishments),” the DILG warned the public.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated that “any person found guilty of any election offense under this (electoral) code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.”

In addition, the Comelec noted that the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.

If he is a foreigner, the Comelec said that the concerned parties “shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served.”

As law-abiding voters, the DILG asserted that it is everybody’s duty to report vote buying or vote selling incidents to the concerned government agencies, particularly to the COMELEC’s Committee on Kontra Bigay.

Cases of electoral infractions can be made by sending the complaint with complete details through the following: email at [email protected] ; COMELEC Committee on Kontra Bigay Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ComelecCKB ; or through mobile at 0995 299 3725 for Globe users and 0921 954 5992 for Smart users.

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