Through EDG Adrian A. EvaReporter
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched the “Kontra Bigay” committee on Friday to intensify its action against buying and voting prior to the 2025 interim elections.
The newly launched committee will be permanent and a reinforced version of Kontra Bigay, who initially operated as Task Force during the 2022 elections, said Comelec chairman George Erwin M. Garcia.
“Kapag committee Kasi Siya Permanent Siya Ibig Saibihin Kapag May Mga Kaso Susubaybayan Niya Yung Mga Kasong Maifa-File. Sapagkat (kapag) na-file na nila yan sila ang may-poprosecute, sila rin ang magpapa-Disqualify [A committee is permanent, meaning it will monitor filed cases, handle prosecutions, and facilitate disqualifications]”Mr. Garcia told reporters during the launch event on Friday.
Under the extensive Kontra Bigay, rights enforcers, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), supervision and information, reports or complaints, reports or complaints related to votes , vote or acts of abuse of state resources.
Comelec identified assumed acts of votes and voting, including the possession or distribution of money, goods, and both, together with campaign material, to influence voters.
It also includes the unauthorized possession or transport of more than P500,000, together with campaign material, within two days before the elections and on election day.
These are some of the other actions that are considered assumed voting and voice sale, according to Comelec:
Mr Garcia said that persons trapped in the law of committing the assumed deeds of voices and voting sales can be arrested by a law enforcement agency without an order.
He added that this measure is important because it enables authorities to arrest individuals even in a short period, so that they cannot be supplied and vote.
“Ditto, pine confirmation after May Pamimili ng Boto. Therefore, Depensahan Mo Ang Sarili Mo. Ni-Reverse Natin Para Mas Mapadali Ang Arrest in prosecution [Here, vote buying is now presumed. Therefore, it’s up to the offender to defend themselves. We’ve reversed the process to make arrests]Mr Garcia continued.
Pursuant to Article 12 of the Omnibus election code, voices and voting are punishable by a prison sentence of no less than a year but no more than six years.
To submit a complaint, Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda Jr. That individuals can not only submit complaints at the headquarters of Comelec in Manila, but also in their respective Kontra Bigay centers in cities, provinces and municipalities.
Ayuda ban
The reinforced version of Kontra Bigay now contains facilities that focus on the abuse of state sources (ASR), said Mr. Maceda. This includes the ban on the use of government support or Ayuda to influence voters.
“This initiative is reinforced by the new provisions against abuse of state resources, a silent but omnipresent threat to the basis of our democracy,” said Mr. Maceda.
Comelec has imposed a total ban on the distribution of Ayuda, from ten days before the elections and on election day.
This includes programs such as Tulong Panghanapbuhay that underprivileged employees (Tupad), Angat Kabuhayan at Pag-ASA program (AKAP) (AKAP), help to people in crisis situations (AICs), and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4PS) (4PS) (4PS) 4PS) (4PS) (4PS) (4PS) (4PS) (4PS).
However, Comelec noted that medical and funeral assistance is exempt from the total prohibition.