BY this time, Filipino voters are completing their would-be ballots come election day on May 13.
Up for grabs in the mid-term elections are the country’s next set of senators, and local leaders including congressmen, governors, mayors, and councilors among others.
With a few days remaining in their campaign, candidates are exhausting all tricks up their sleeves to win enough votes to be declared victors.
It is also during this season when the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) pulls all the necessary stops, through a series of prohibitions, to ensure that elections will go smoothly.
Vote-buying also becomes rampant at this point. Vote-buying is defined under the Omnibus Elections Code as “giving, offering or promising 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.”
To thwart vote-buying operations in the country, the COMELEC recently implemented the unprecedented Resolution 9688 or “money ban.”
Effective May 8, the money ban debars anyone from withdrawals of at least P100,000 and transporting or carrying of cash exceeding P500,000 until May 13.
“The Commission… finds it necessary to adopt a multi-tiered approach to prevent and apprehend vote-buyers, particularly the regulation and control of the flow of cash, which is the primary medium used in vote-buying,” the resolution stated.
This covers banks, finance companies, quasi-banks, pawnshops, remittance companies and institutions performing similar functions.
“All cash being transported and being carried exceeding such amount shall be presumed for the purpose of vote-buying and electoral fraud in violation of the money ban,” said the COMELEC.
During this period, the COMELEC will keep a hawk’s eye and conduct round-the-clock “money ban checkpoint, in addition to the gun ban checkpoint for the duration of the period.”
There are restrictions during the election period that are mandated by law, but are still overlooked by the citizenry.
An election offense carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from running for public office.
According to a report by Philstar.com, there are already 2,971 poll gun ban violators as of May 6. The usual election gun ban aims to contain the proliferation of loose guns and diminish poll-related crimes.
As reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP), those apprehended include 2,739 civilians, 128 security guards, 40 PNP personnel, 36 government officials, and 20 military personnel.
The gun ban has led to the confiscation of 2,908 firearms and 24,239 pieces of ammunition.
Not to mention, election-related violence that have occurred since the election period began.
The PNP reported 58 cases, with 11 cases verified to have been triggered by election issues, while 47 others are still under investigation.
35 victims were killed and 34 were wounded in 51 shooting incidents, one ambush, two grenade-throwing cases, one strafing and three other cases, the PNP further noted.
But even with these overwhelming numbers, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is confident of “a lot peaceful” elections than in 2010.
“There is less violence based on initial trends. We believe the coming election will be a lot safer and a lot more peaceful than the last election,” Armed Forces deputy chief for operations Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad said. The AFP remains in close coordination with PNP in monitoring and ensuring security of the nationwide poll.
Despite the government’s admirable efforts to make sure that there are fewer anomalies in this year’s elections, the money ban or other existing “bans” hardly make election violators cringe.
Considering how it was decided at the last minute, the money ban might barely make a dent in curbing election violations.
Every election period, holding free, fair and peaceful polls is an endeavor.
Before ballots are cast, votes are counted and winners are proclaimed, it is paramount that all participants will offer great resolve in making sure such process is achieved.
It seems that everyone (from voters to politicians) needs to be reminded of the sanctity of the election process, every so often.
(AJPress)