Last-minute vote-buying spree seen

The public must be extra vigilant starting today until early morning of election day on Monday when vote buying reportedly becomes rampant, the Commission on Elections has advised.

- By Rhodina Villanueva

In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia yesterday said the most crucial periods of the election season that the public should monitor are the two days before election day and the early hours before precincts open on May 12.

"Saturday, Sunday and early morning of Monday " that is when vote buying happens. Applying ink (on the voters' fingers) takes place on these days," Garcia said.

"The 'guarding' of people so they won't be able to go out and vote, that usually happens starting Saturday until Monday. This is called negative voting," he added.

"Please monitor and observe carefully if these things do happen in your communities," Garcia urged the public.

The Comelec chief also stressed that the liquor ban will be strictly implemented starting tomorrow until election day.

"Let us not engage in drinking sessions at this time, but if it can't be helped, do it inside your home. It is really prohibited. Even cockfighting is not allowed," he said.

The Comelec's Committee on Kontra Bigay earlier said most vote buying complaints it received came from Calabarzon, followed by Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

Laguna, Marikina and Rizal were the top three areas.

For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its "Kontra Bigay" operations to combat vote buying and selling in the midterm elections.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil yesterday directed police regional directors and field commanders to bolster operations against people buying and selling votes.

"We will ensure that those who dare sabotage the electoral process through vote buying will be held accountable. Our duty is clear: to defend the people's right to a clean and honest vote," Marbil said in a statement.

Marbil urged the public to report vote buying and selling activities to the nearest police stations in their communities or through hotlines or Comelec channels.