PICTURES NOT ENOUGH PROOF. Photos of money with names of candidates in Tacloban City shared by netizens on social media days before Election Day. Photos of money and sample ballots and possession of envelopes containing money allegedly meant for vote buying are not enough to prosecute a candidate, election officials said on Thursday (May 9, 2019). (Photo from FB page of Balitang Totoo Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY -- A top official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the public to document vote buying activities and not just post photos and allegations on social media.
Reacting to social media posts of photos of money with attached names of candidates, Comelec 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Rafael Olaño said these do not prove vote buying and vote selling.
“We urge voters to file official complaints and present proofs. I hope there are witnesses who will come out and testify, supported with well-documented vote buying acts. Vote buying is cheating and is prohibited,” Olaño said Thursday.
The official said photos of money and sample ballots and possession of envelopes containing money allegedly meant for vote buying are not enough to prosecute a candidate.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, vote buying is an election offense, wherein an individual gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value to induce the public to vote for or against any candidate.
An election offense carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of the right to vote, and disqualification to hold public office.
At the national level, the Comelec formed the interagency task force on Wednesday assuring persons who will file vote buying cases that they would get support in pursuing such suits. (PNA)
