Church leaders from Pangasinan are prodding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take immediate action against the alleged “widespread and blatant vote-buying” in the province’s 6th congressional district.
In separate letters signed by church leaders from Tayug, Umingan, Sta. Maria, Balungao, Rosales, and San Manuel addressed to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, the pastors expressed their “deep concern” over reports that some candidates are allegedly distributing as much as P3,000 per voter in exchange for support in the upcoming elections.
According to the letters, this vote-buying scheme is “appalling and alarming".
“But what’s even more concerning is how vote-buying is eroding the moral fabric of our community,” the letters added.
The group also questioned the lack of any arrests or concrete action from authorities despite widespread reports of election irregularities.
Among those who wrote to Comelec were Pastor Renato Licuan (Tayug of Christ Christian Church); Pastora Nora Salinas (Grace Evangelical Church); Pastor Servillano Tintero (United Church of Christ in the Philippines); and Pastora Shiela Dela Cruz (Mt. Calvary Baptist Church).
It can be recalled that Congresswoman Marlyn “Len” Primicias-Agabas had earlier written to Comelec, calling for action regarding the alleged “blatant and shameless” vote-buying in the district, in which she directly accused certain political leaders allied with congressional candidate Gilbert Estrella of engaging in vote-buying.
As of now, Comelec has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations, except for an initial remark that Agabas’ complaint is under investigation.
Vote-buying is a violation of the Omnibus Election Code and is punishable by imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office, and loss of the right to vote.