Comelec CKB receives over 400 vote-buying reports ahead of May 12 elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) has received over 400 reports of vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

As of Thursday, May 8, CKB chairperson Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. reported that the committee had received 439 complaints, with 268 related to vote-buying and 130 related to abuse of state resources.

The most common types of vote buying include cash distribution, financial assistance, and giving away goods, while abuse of state resources often takes the form of 'ayuda' or social welfare assistance.

Regions with the highest number of complaints include Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, and Ilocos Region, with provinces like Laguna, Marikina, Rizal, Bulacan, and Oriental Mindoro seeing the most reports.

Maceda Jr. expects the number to exceed 450 by the end of the day but notes that it is lower than the total of 1,226 reported in 2022.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said they are ready to suspend proclamation of winning candidates if there are pending disqualification cases based on strong evidence.