Comelec probes senatorial candidate for vote buying

A senatorial candidate, along with 36 local candidates, is under investigation for vote buying, the Commission on Elections said.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. did not identify the senatorial bet, but said the candidate is among those facing vote-buying complaints before the Committee on Kontra Bigay, which he heads.

Maceda said the Comelec main office has received 63 reports of vote buying and abuse of state resources as of yesterday. Of the number, at least 36 involved vote buying.

"One national candidate is involved, three are party-list and the bulk are local officials," Maceda said. He declined to identify the national candidate as the complaint may be elevated before the commission.