The Commission on Elections' (Comelec) expanded definition of “vote-buying” for the 2025 midterm elections now includes not just the stereotypical giving out of cash envelopes to voters.
This was one main takeaways from the "Kapihan sa PIA Calabarzon: Ugnayan at Talakayan sa Laguna" organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Laguna office and held at SM City Santa Rosa last Thursday, April 24.
During the forum, Comelec officers in Laguna province explained the expanded definition and scope of what can be considered as “vote-buying” as defined by Comelec Resolution No. 11104.
The new definitions meant that incidents of alleged “vote-buying” doesn't have to happen during the campaign sorties or events themselves in order to become an election offense.
Even simple acts like feeding supporters or giving out food packs during (and even after) campaign rallies can now be considered as "vote buying."
"Kahit po five hours before and five hours after a campaign rally, bawal po kahit na po ang magpakain... This is a prohibited act under our election laws," Comelec Calamba City Election Officer Atty. Marx Nicholai Delmo explained in response to a query from OpinYon Laguna.
"Hindi lang naman po kasi pera ang considerations for vote-buying; ang criteria po natin ay 'anything of value,' at kasama na po diyan pati tubig at pagkain," Delmo added.
Abuse of state resources
Meanwhile, incumbent officials who are also candidates for local positions are also prohibited from endorsing candidates or conducting any election-related activity in the course of their public duties.
“Ang pwede lang po nilang gawin is to do their duties on a regular basis,” Jemelee Lopez, Comelec Election Officer for Santa Rosa City, pointed out.
"Pero yung magsama or mag-endorse po siya ng kandidato or magtalakay po siya tungkol sa kanyang candidacy during their regular activities, iyan po ay ipinagbabawal.”
Comelec officials said that such activities fall under "abuse of state resources," or officials' misuse of government resources "for electoral advantage."
Another common act of candidates that can fall under “abuse of state resources” is placing their names or campaign logos on tarpaulins of government programs and projects, officials added.
"These acts can be considered an election offense, and may be grounds for the disqualification of a candidate," Delmo pointed out.
Concerned citizens are urged to report such incidents to the Comelec's "Kontra-Bigay Committees," which are tasked to handle possible cases of vote buying and other election violations.
"Maski po [ang reklamo] ay in-person, through email, or through our Facebook page, inaaksyunan po natin iyan," Delmo assured.
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