CAGAYAN de Oro City and Misamis Oriental chapter of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Tuesday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be the one to “take the lead” against the reported rampant vote-buying happened a day before the May 9 national and local elections.
“Dapat may masampulan (against vote-buying or vote-selling) ang Comelec,” said Namfrel CDO and Misor head Nestor Banuag, adding that the Commission should create conditions “where vote-buying and selling” is discouraged.
Earlier, the Comelec reminded registered voters against vote-buying and vote-selling.
“It (vote-buying) can’t be solved as this ‘likely’ and already a culture in every election,” said Banuag.
A memorandum issued by Comelec Banuag said the voting public was advised about the consequences of committing any act in violation thereof.
Banuag added that it also directed the law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the statutory prohibition against vote-buying and vote-selling.
This paper tried to contact the city’s Comelec to shed light on the issue but to no avail.
“Can you call back later,” texted twice as a reply by City Comelec Director Rowell Valledor in this paper.
Banuag said the act of buying and selling votes is prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code.
“Voters may report inaccuracies and irregularities in the transmission of poll data on election day,” said Banuag through a citizen engagement to the poll watchdog Namfrel.
The violation is defined as any person who gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an item of expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community to induce anyone or the public, in general, to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.
Likewise, any person, association, corporation, group, or community who solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment, public or private.
Meanwhile, as of 3:17 pm, Tuesday, the Election Returns transmitted reached 98.31% in 523 of 532 clustered precincts.
The Comelec already declared late this afternoon the winners Rolando Uy (NUP) mayor-elect with 157,575 votes against Pompee La Viña (LAKAS) who got 128,071 votes.
The results of two other mayoral candidates were 2,080 votes for Promdi Ragasi, Dondon, Borres, Felix Jr. III (IND) with 1,209 votes and Ubalde, Glenn (IND) with 857 votes.
The vice mayoral-elect was Rodriguez, Jocelyn (CDP) with 174,851 votes against her opponent Dahino, Inday (NUP) with 99,017 votes.
For Partial, unofficial results aggregated from Comelec data as of the same date from 239 Election Returns for the City’s First District from first place to eight place were Suan, Aga (PADAYN) – 71,790; Abaday, Roger (NUP) – 67,369; Pascual, Jay (NUP) – 62,407, Moreno, Imee (NUP) – 61,109; Calizo, Romeo (NUP) – 55,419; Goking, George (NUP) – 53,232; Abbu, Jose Pepe Jr. (PADAYN) – 49,996; and Esparcia, Bernie Bitok (CDP) – 48,763.
While for the second district’s partial, unofficial results from 284 election returns were Emano, Ivy (PADAYN) – 88,817; Gaane, Dra. Malou (NUP) – 71,841;Balaba, Girlie (PDPLBN) – 65,087; Judith, James II (CDP) – 63,183; Nacaya, Ian Mark (NUP) – 63,151; Cabanlas, Edgar (NUP) – 63,147; Achas, Ian (PADAYN) – 55,671; and Daba, Suzette (NUP) with 55,047 votes.
For the First Legislative District’s partial, unofficial results aggregated from Comelec data as of 4:47 PM Monday from 239 Election Returns were Suan, Lordan (PADAYN) – 75,140 while Uy, Joaquin Kikang (NUP) got 62,262 votes and Mora, Tito (BVNP) – 1,576 votes.
Second District’s partial, unofficial results aggregated from Comelec data as of 5:02 PM and from 284 Election Returns were Rodriguez, Rufus (CDP) – 126,106 while Floro, Irene (PRP) got 23,153 votes.