Comelec forms task force to combat vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is forming an interagency task force, named Task Force Kontra Bigay, to combat vote-buying.

The task force will include representatives from the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Information Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia stated that the multi-agency task force will be constituted on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

The creation of the task force aims to demonstrate the government's seriousness in preventing vote-buying incidents.

Unlike previous procedures, the task force can launch investigations motu proprio, even without a formal complaint.

Political analysts suggest the task force must aim for convictions of vote buyers and sellers to avoid being perceived as a mere 'knee-jerk reaction'.