Comelec instructs PNP to make warrantless arrests for vote buying

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, ahead of the national and local elections scheduled for Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest vote buyers without a warrant if caught in the act.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia assured police officers that they will be protected from legal consequences for enforcing such arrests, which are allowed under the 1987 Constitution and Supreme Court decisions.

The Comelec committee on Kontra Bigay has received over 500 reports of vote-buying incidents as of Sunday, with 200 cases issued show-cause orders.

Comelec cited sections 14 (h) and 15 (c) of COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 which permits warrantless arrests for election offenses such as vote-buying when committed in the presence of a law enforcement officer.

As of Thursday, May 8, Comelec's anti-vote buying task force had logged over 400 reports of election-related offenses including vote buying and selling.

The elections will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 12.