The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has received 34 election offense complaints as of Monday, with 23 alleging vote-buying or vote-selling and 11 involving abuse of state resources.
“Complaints were filed even before the official election period began,” Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. stated in a briefing. “You may recall the viral vehicle raffle and reports of cash distribution at campaign rallies prior to the local campaign period.”
In the 2022 national and local elections, the Comelec recorded 1,226 complaints, while the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections saw 375. Maceda noted that while the current count is 34, more cases are expected as the election progresses.
When asked about vote-buying hotspots, Maceda identified Metro Manila as a consistent problem area. “NCR is consistently a center for vote-buying, whether due to a higher incidence or greater public awareness and reporting,” Maceda said. “Following NCR, we have Region IV-A, then provinces like Palawan, Abra, and Camarines Sur.”
To combat these illegal activities, Maceda emphasized Comelec’s “Kontra Bigay” Committee, established in 2019 to provide a permanent structure for addressing vote-buying. “A task force is temporary; its work ends with the election,” Maceda explained.
Maceda also addressed concerns about digital vote-buying via mobile wallets. He said private companies have cooperated with the Comelec since the 2023 elections by implementing transaction limits to prevent illicit fund transfers.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has also issued a memorandum urging financial institutions to enhance security measures against fraud. While banks are not liable for vote-buying transactions, Maceda stressed their support in preventing platform misuse.
“Multiple transactions of identical, round amounts—like P1,000 or P5,000—from a single account are suspicious,” Maceda said. “These patterns help mobile wallet companies identify potential illicit activities.”
