Reports of vote buying

surface in Bacolod City

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following reports of rampant vote buying and vote selling in Iloilo last week, information recently provided to Watchmen Daily Journal suggest similar activity is taking place in Bacolod City.

A resident of the city’s Barangay 39 allegedly received P1,000 to vote for a particular candidate, along with those running for seats on the Sangguniang Panlungsod. In addition, a separate case showed a voter receiving P500 to support a congressional candidate and a city councilor.

A third photo showed a voter receiving P50 to vote for two particular candidates for city council.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) officer-in-charge, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, said, as of yesterday, they have not received any complaints pertaining to vote buying.

The city police chief, however, said he will immediately call for an investigation.

He warned, those caught will be charged with violating the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

If found guilty, violators can face one to six years in prison, and permanent disqualification from voting; in the case of electoral-candidates, he or she will be barred from holding public office.

Biñas also urged the public to exercise their right freely and support the police force by reporting such incidents./DGB, WDJ