Comelec Warns Candidates That Offering Free Rides on Election Day May Constitute Vote-Buying

Manila — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a warning to candidates offering free transportation on the upcoming Oct. 30 election day, stating that such actions could be considered vote-buying and may lead to legal consequences.

According to a news release by Philippines News Agency, candidates and the public should abstain from offering or receiving free rides to voting precincts. Garcia elaborated during a press briefing at the sidelines of Operation Baklas in Smokey Mountains, Tondo, Manila that although the provision of free transportation services may not directly influence voter choice, it could lead to the suspension or even disqualification of winning candidates.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is currently investigating potential connections to alleged vote-buying activities tied to Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan poll candidates. NCRPO Chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. disclosed that one arrest has been made, with 200 individuals serving as witnesses in the case.

Following a surveillance operation, Comelec revealed that over a thousand envelopes containing PHP 300 each were intended to be distributed to 200 Malabon-registered voters. The individuals implicated initially claimed to conduct poll watchers’ training, although no training materials or trainers were found during the operation.

Garcia also discussed the money ban, stating that the public is prohibited from transacting or transporting more than PHP 500,000. “We will presume it to be vote buying unless there is a valid reason for the transaction,” he said.

In a call to the public, Garcia urged citizens to resist participating in vote buying and selling, as victims could also face legal consequences. He also applauded the general adherence of most Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) candidates to Comelec rules against premature and illegal campaigning.

Regarding campaign materials, both the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the city government praised the decrease in posting illegal materials following Comelec’s stringent rules. However, Quezon City was reported to have the highest seizure of illegal campaign materials.

As of Thursday, Task Force Anti-Epal has reported 196 disqualification petitions for premature campaigning and nine cases for illegal campaigning, out of more than 1.4 million BSKE candidates.

Garcia also mentioned an upcoming visit to Abra to reassess the province’s security situation in light of the forthcoming elections. While the entire province is not under Comelec control, Garcia stated that he wanted to personally verify reasons behind candidate withdrawals and validate reports of large vehicles in the area.

In terms of emergency and health assistance, Comelec has also entered an agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to provide health stations near polling precincts. These stations will offer basic first aid or emergency response, especially for the vulnerable sector, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.