#PHVote wRap May 13, 6am: D-day

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A tally of arrests and confiscated arms by the PNP, major cases of vote-buying and the Aquino administration's hopes and fears begin election day

MANILA, Philippines – Hours before voting in the 2013 mid-term elections started, reports about total number of arrests and confiscations by the PNP and major vote-buying cases in local races poured in.

As of Sunday May 12, the Philippine National Police (PNP) say they have arrested a total of 3,161 people and confiscated 3,084 firearmsPNP Public Information Office Police Chief Supt. Generoso R. Cerbo Jr. called this round-up a “substantial” achievement especially since they began their efforts only last January.

Out of the total number of arrested individuals were 2,912 civilians. Aside from firearms which numbered 26,497, the PNP also confiscated bladed weapons and explosives.

Vote-buying continues to be an issue right up to the hours leading to elections. 

In Zamboanga del Norte, police filed charges of vote buying against the province’s governor Rolando Yebes on May 12.

Yebes is running for congressman of Zamboanga del Norte, second district.

After investigating a report of massive vote buying inside a beach house owned by Yebes on May 8, police arrested 4 individuals who were supposedly facilitating the illegal transactions. Five sample ballots and P15,000 in paper bills were confiscated from them.

The PNP charged the arrested with violation of Batas Pambansa 881 or the Omnibus Election Code. Included in the charge are Gov. Yebes and his son Chady, who is facing an additional charge of obstruction of justice for trying to prevent police from transporting one of the arrested individuals.

Vote buying

In Naga City, two persons were also nabbed for receiving cash from an unidentified group inside the farm of Jojo Villafuerte, nephew of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte who is running for Camarines Sur governor.

He is also facing accusations from congressional candidate Leni Robredo of vote buying.

In Olongapo City, incumbent Olongapo Vice Mayor Rolen Paulino barged into the Gordon College campus and broke down the door to the president’s office in the hopes of catching vote buying by his rival.

The rival for the vice mayoralty is Anne Marie Gordon, wife of outgoing Mayor James Gordon. 

Paulino explained that he saw people affiliated with the college buying votes for the female Gordon. He had broken through the door to catch them red-handed.

Unfortunately for him, only college president Arlina Pame was inside the office at the time. Pame said she was only working on tasks related to her position at the school when Paulino barged in. She says that charges will be filed against the vice mayor.

Impact to economy

In an interview with Rappler on May 12, Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said that the Aquino administration is counting on favorable election results to make revenue reform measures a reality.

He said that winning candidates who support Aquino’s agenda can help the government pass the yet-to-be-crafted mining reform bill that aims to improve the revenue share of the government in mining. More supportive senators and congressmen can also further plans to rationalize fiscal incentives which aims to ensure that tax breaks and other financial incentives are given only to deserving industries.

Carandang also expressed fears that something would happen to lessen the credibility of the May 2013 elections. – Rappler.com 


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