‘3 complainants willing to submit proof of vote buying’

MANILA, Philippines — At least three vote-buying complaints are being focused on by the Commission on Elections, a few weeks after the May 9 general elections, as the Comelec has gotten an assurance from the complainants to file the necessary evidence that the poll body will need in prosecuting vote-buyers.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia told “The Chiefs” on One News last Tuesday that three complainants have “courageously” said they are willing to file a formal affidavit before their legal division to pursue their vote-buying complaints.

“Three may be a very good number, at least to start with the prosecution of these individuals. So long as there are people who are so decisive, who wanted to proceed and who wanted to teach a lesson, one or two, to our candidates… we will leave it at that and we will definitely study the case and we will look at it, prosecute if necessary,” Garcia said.

One of the three complainants is based in Cavite City while two others are allied with other local candidates.

The Comelec wants to conduct a motu proprio investigation on a vote-buying complaint against a national candidate, but Garcia said they would need more evidence to pursue the filing of the case as he emphasized that vote-buying is a criminal offense that needs concrete evidence.

He added that they are also looking into the case raised by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in which a huge amount had been withdrawn in Ilocos Sur.

Garcia clarified, however, that they could not publicly disclose details due to the confidentiality of the investigation.

“Let the AMLC do its investigation, but we are ready to prosecute in case the AMLC sends its findings,” Garcia said.

The Comelec commissioner urged the incoming Congress to impose a heftier penalty for vote-buying and to make it easy for anybody to file cases that involve vote-buying.

He said the Comelec is having difficulty pursuing vote-buying complaints, especially when the complainants tend to withdraw their complaints or if the complainants could not provide the necessary evidence to stand their case against vote-buyers.