BACOLOD City – Colonel Henry Biñas, the city’s police chief, reminded Bacolodnons it’s illegal to sell votes.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) officer-in-charge warned those who will be caught involved in “vote-selling” and “vote-buying” will be facing charges for violation of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.
“If found guilty, violators may face one to six years imprisonment and permanent disqualification from voting or in the case of an electoral candidate he or she will be barred from holding public office,” Biñas said.
He urged the public to exercise their right to vote freely and support the police force by reporting “vote-buying” incidents in the city.
Biñas noted as of May 12, they have not received any complaints of “vote-buying” incidents.
“So far there no complaints despite several persons, in fake names have posted on their Facebook accounts the sample ballot with the names of local candidates with stapled P500 and P1,000 cash,” he said.
Cited on Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, “vote-buying” and “vote-selling” are among the prohibited acts which are punishable by the said law.
“Vote-buying” and “vote-selling” obstruct the democratic process in a certain country. This often involves asking voters to make promises or sign pledges to not accept money from politicians or their agents prior to elections./PN
