Palace urges voters to reject vote-buying

Malacañang urged Filipino voters to reject vote-buying to ensure clean and honest elections on May 9.

Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Michel Kristian Ablan stated that vote-buying and vote-selling are prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code, with penalties of imprisonment and fines for offenders.

The Omnibus Election Code defines vote-buying and selling as influencing a voter's decision through money or other valuable offers, or withholding a vote or influencing nomination choices.

The penalties for election offenses include imprisonment of one to six years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and the loss of the right to vote.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated that it would act on incidents of vote-buying based on reports from its field personnel, even without formal complaints.