Comelec targets Misor vote buying

THE Commission on Election Misamis Oriental Provincial Office amplified its efforts to combat vote buying and vote selling.

This campaign has been executed through the establishment of the Committee on KontraBigay (CKB) under COMELEC Resolution No. 10946.

The formation of the CKB is part of the commission’s endeavor to enforce all its guidelines and policies aimed at deterring vote buying and selling.

The approach involves collaboration with various government agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others.

Lawyer Ramil P. Acol, Election Officer for the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, stated that the Commission, PNP, and AFP have discussed the resolution in detail at the Regional Joint Command Center and City Joint Security Center meetings to ensure its full implementation.
“Law enforcers and deputized agencies are already aware of the resolution and are waiting for case submissions through an affidavit of witness,” according to Acol.

He emphasized that the prosecution and the Committee on Kontra Bigay are prepared to take legal action against cases of vote buying or selling.

Acol explained that any candidate indulging in activities such as distributing T-shirts, pamphlets, food, and other items could be seen as engaging in vote-buying or vote-selling.

He warned that such actions are especially concerning since the campaign period has not officially started yet.
On the issue of premature campaigns, Atty. Joel Dexter Nagtalon, Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Election Officer, clarified that the official campaign period is only from October 19-28.

Any campaign activity before this period could be considered premature and potentially grounds for disqualification or even a criminal offense.

“These rules apply to all candidates, incumbent or otherwise,” Nagtalon stressed.

This includes activities such as house-to-house visits, meet-and-greets, handshaking events, or any gathering organized by the candidates, which could be seen as premature campaigning.

The commission also clarified the guidelines on premature campaigning involving incumbent barangay officials.

“It is crucial to ascertain whether these activities are being conducted as part of the official duties or not,” the Comelec official said.
Nagtalon stated that if an incumbent officer is using the activity to promote his candidacy or his companions, then it is considered premature campaigning.

For individuals who wish to report premature elections, vote-buying, vote-selling, or any other violation by a candidate, Nagtalon advised that sufficient evidence must be produced for a complaint to be properly filed.

He explained that these complaints should be directed to the Commission En Banc through the Office of the Clerk of the Commission and that due process would be observed before a candidate is disqualified from the election.

Nagtalon added that the procedure for filing a complaint involves submitting it to the central office via email or electronic filing.
The complainant will then receive an order of payment for the docket fees, and upon payment, a hard copy of the complaint must be submitted.

Following this, the commission will accept the complaint, and the respondents will receive a summon to respond.

The commission is encouraging everyone to report any violations committed by candidates in their respective areas.

They also urge voters to actively participate in ensuring the integrity of the election process.

The responsibility for a clean, honest, and peaceful election rests not only on the shoulders of the COMELEC, Namfrel, the police, and the military.