ILOILO – Three candidates for Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member in Dumangas town were complained of alleged vote-buying activities and were thus issued with show cause orders by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec required the three candidates to explain why they should not be disqualified or charged with election offenses, according to Teopisto Elñas Jr., executive director and vice-chairperson of the Committee on Kontra Bigay, on April 25.
The poll body stressed that the issuance of a show cause order is part of the investigation process and does not indicate guilt or involvement in the alleged violations.
Vote-buying, as defined under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, is a criminal offense.
The Committee on Kontra Bigay is tasked with enforcing policies against vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources, as well as facilitating the filing of complaints and the disqualification of candidates who are found guilty of such offenses.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11104, vote-buying and vote-selling encompass a wide range of activities, including:
* Direct or indirect exchange of money or goods for votes
* Digital transactions, such as online banking or e-wallet transfers
* Distribution of groceries, health cards, and discount vouchers
* House-to-house campaigns involving giveaways
* Bingo events or other activities promoting candidates’ names
* Suspicious possession of large sums of money or campaign materials
* Conducting medical missions or distributing “ayuda” with political branding
* Hiring excessive numbers of poll watchers or tampering with election materials./PN
