DILG to cut vote buying by proposing to amend Omnibus Election Code

July 5, 2019

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to propose to Congress a bill amending the Omnibus Election Code to reduce rampant vote buying.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a press briefing Friday they are focused on resolving this issue three years before the 2022 presidential election.

"What the DILG will do to reduce vote buying in elections three years from now is to propose a bill in Congress amending the Omnibus Election Code (on) giving rewards or a portion of the amount confiscated (supposed) to be used in vote buying," said Malaya.

"What we want is if you are a witness or a police (and) you were instrumental in the arrest of individuals involved in vote buying, you'll have a reward," he said.

Malaya said the money confiscated by the Philippine National Police ( PNP) will be used as evidence against those caught in the act of vote buying.

As of May 14, PNP said out of the 225 reported incidents of vote buying and selling, 449 violations were recorded and a total of P12,208,957 were confiscated from those who bought votes.

It also showed 356 were arrested, 85 were at large and three minors were rescued.

The highest vote buying incidents were recorded in Cordillera with 37 while highest number of persons arrested for vote buying is in Metro Manila with 136.

The highest amount of money used to buy votes was in Caraga amounting to P7,976,100.

Malaya did not comment on alleged vote buying activities by lawmakers last election.

"We rather not comment... it's a different branch of government. It's legislature. We are focused on mayors and local officials," he said. 

Malaya said they will work with the Commission on Elections for them to  implement Task Force Kontra Bigay as early as three months before the 2022 polls. Ella Dionisio/DMS