Tag: vote-buying

GCash implements temporary measures to avoid vote-buying

GCash implements temporary measures to avoid vote-buying

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With the 2025 National and Local elections all set to happen on May 12, the popular e-wallet service GCash recently implemented temporary measures to curb potential vote-buying, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

GCash has imposed a temporary daily transaction limit on “Express Send” and “Send via QR” to avoid vote-buying in the 2025 midterm elections.

In an advisory, GCash said the daily transaction limit will be implemented until May 12, 2025, the day of the elections. Normal transactions will resume the following day, May 13, 2025.

“Ang mga hakbang na ito ay para sa patas at ligtas na halalan. Sa pagpigil sa financial influence sa boto ng mga tao, masisigurong tunay na boses ng mamamayan ang resulta ng eleksyon,” GCash said.

“Babantayan ng GCash ang mga transactions para matiyak na hindi ito ginagamit sa ilegal na election activities,” it added.

(These steps are implemented to ensure fair and safe elections. By preventing financial influence on people’s votes, we can ensure that the election results truly reflect the people’s voice. GCash will monitor the transactions to ensure that money will not be used in illegal election activities.)

Once the daily limit is reached, GCash said its users can transact on the following day. GCash also said business users are included in the temporary restrictions.

“Any unusual transaction flow between accounts, digital banking and digital wallets, including unusual large cash withdrawals involving the amount exceeding P500,000, encashment of checks, during election period, which have no underlying legal/trade obligation, purpose or economic justification or the amount involved is not commensurate with the business or financial profile of the client, shall be considered suspicious transactions of vote buying and vote selling,” the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 11104 read.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think GCash made the right moves in relation to the upcoming national and local elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

COMELEC and DOJ sign agreement versus vote-buying related to the BSKE

COMELEC and DOJ sign agreement versus vote-buying related to the BSKE

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With the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) all set to happen on October 30, 2023, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally signed an agreement versus vote-buying, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) signed an agreement on Monday to go after and prosecute persons involved in vote-buying in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said prosecutors nationwide will be on duty to accept complaints on Oct. 30, election day.

“The fiscals will be available for the cases that may be filed,” he told the media during the “Kontra Bigay” memorandum of agreement signing at the DOJ office in Manila. “We can handle the volume. Mahalaga dyan may testigo (What is important is there are witnesses).”

He said the need for witnesses is crucial since most-vote buying may be conducted using electronic wallets, instead of actual cash changing hands.

Remulla also sees no conflict with a recent DOJ directive to closely scrutinize all charge sheets filed before prosecutors to ensure that complaints with a reasonable probability of conviction will be filed by the courts.

All charges may be considered “open-and-shut” cases if sworn statements from witnesses are complete and sufficient.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia expressed confidence that measures such as warrantless arrest of persons involved in vote buying and red flags like the transport of large volumes of cash and giveaways are sufficient measures.

So far, Comelec has already received 23 complaints related to vote-buying.

The practice of “flying voters” or voters ferried to different voting areas are no longer prevalent due to the adoption of modern voter identification systems, Garcia added.

The campaign period for the BSKE will be on Oct. 19 to 28.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that this agreement by the COMELEC and the DOJ will make an impact against vote-buying related to the BSKE?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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COMELEC planning to allow warrantless arrests in response to acts of buying and selling of votes during the campaign period

COMELEC planning to allow warrantless arrests in response to acts of buying and selling of votes during the campaign period

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In what seems to be an intention to ensure election integrity, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) expressed that it is planning to allow warrantless arrest of persons who are caught buying or selling votes specifically during the campaign period, according to a GMA Network news report. Take note that this is related to the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Commision on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is planning to allow warrantless arrest for those who will be caught in the act of buying or selling votes during the campaign period.

In a press conference, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the commission will issue new guidelines for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), which is set on October 30.

“Sa ilalabas naming guidelines bilang pahapyaw lang po, papayagan natin silang mag-aresto especially kung yung tao ay caught in flagrante or caught in the act. Dati wala po yun. Ngayon, i-authorize po namin siya with full backing of the Comelec because it is our belief that under our Constitution warrantless arrest is allowed,” said Garcia.

(In the guidelines that we will issue, we will allow the PNP to arrest if the person is caught in the act. We will authorize that now with full backing of the Comelec because it is our belief that under our Constitution warrantless arrest is allowed.)

Garcia said that the basis of the previous prohibition of arrest during the campaign period was the 1985 omnibus election code.

But under the 1987 Constitution, Garcia said warrantless arrest is allowed in cases of flagrante delicto or being caught in the act.

He pointed out that if there is a contradiction between existing law and the Constitution, the Constitution will be followed.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think this newest move by the COMELEC makes sense as far as election integrity is concerned? Do you think warrantless arrests will make a major dent against the buying and selling of votes during the campaign period?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

COMELEC says vote-buying is still an election offense

COMELEC says vote-buying is still an election offense

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The topic of vote-buying is back in the minds of voters here in the Philippines mainly due to the recent statement made by a certain politician (for reference, click here and here) running for President next year. This prompted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), which is already busy processing voter registration applications with the October 30 deadline approaching, to remind people that vote-buying is still an election offense and clearly punishable by law.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Vote buying is an election offense regardless of financial situation or noble intentions.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez issued this reminder on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

He also disagreed with the advice of Vice President Leni Robredo for voters to accept the money but vote according to their conscience.

“I disagree with the notion of taking the money and voting according to your conscience,” Jimenez said on Twitter.

He added:”Di dapat ginagawa, at di dapat sina-suggest yan sa mga botante (It shouldn’t be done, and shouldn’t be suggested to our voters),”

Last August, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon warned those who will try vote buying via the electronic payment system in the May 2022 polls that this can be traced.

“This is a warning to politicians, know that you’re going to be found out,” she said.

Vote-buying is defined as any person, who gives, offers, or promises money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.

The above report ended stating that as an election offense, vote-buying means getting yourselves penalized with 1 to 6 years imprisonment, the removal of your right to vote, and disqualification to hold public office.

For added insight about vote -buying here in the Philippines, posted below are some of GMA Network’s news videos from the past related to the said issue…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this newest development? Does Leni Robredo inspire you to engage in vote-buying? Are you willing to follow Robredo’s advice knowing that vote-buying is clearly illegal? If you are a registered voter, are willing to sell out to the highest bidder when it comes to the May 2022 national and local elections?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com