PNP says Albayalde comment on vote buying made ”out of jest”

April 30, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said Police General Oscar Albayalde's statement on vote buying was "made out of jest".

“Well the statement of General Albayalde was was made out of jest but seriously we maintain we have our campaign “Ang Suhol Iwaksi Natin (Let’s dispel bribery), ASIN. That is our campaign,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said in a statement.

Banac said the PNP chief is only emphasizing that Filipinos should take their security preparations seriously and ensure honest, orderly and peaceful election.

“We remind the public to avoid any kinds of bribery,” Banac said.

Banac said there might be a change in the act of vote buying if a candidate will be convicted. “I think if we will be really strict here… We have yet to see a candidate that will be disqualified for (being) allegedly engaged in vote buying,” he said.

“Until probably we show that there are someone who are disqualified because of vote buying then probably we can see change,” Banac added.

Last Monday, Albayalde said voters may get bribe money but can still vote for the rightful candidate they considered.

“I think the best thing here is voter’s education. People will know who they should vote for. Not because they gave large amount you will vote for them. If the one who gave large amount deserves to win, thebn vote for them,” he said.

“(If) the right (candidate) that you will vote can make your life better, you should vote for that,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS