Pangilinan dares Comelec: Arrest vote buyers now

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan challenged the Commission on Elections to set an example by implementing its new resolution and immediately disqualify candidates caught buying votes.

“Sample-an dapat yan ng Comelec lalo na ang mga kandidato,” (Comelec should implement the money ban starting with candidates) Pangilinan said. 

The recently released Comelec Resolution No. 9688 allows the warrantless arrest of vote buyers and sellers and limits cash withdrawals to P100,000. The mid-term elections will be held on Monday, May 13.

“To facilitate the apprehension and prosecution of vote buyers and sellers, any law enforcement officer or private person may, without a warrant, arrest a person when, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote buying and selling,” the resolution states. 

“If candidates will be caught they must be disqualified immediately. Until they are disqualified they would continue buying votes,” Pangilinan said. 

He said that it is important for laws and rules to be implemented without discrimination. “Kalokohan na may batas na hindi pinapatupad,” (It’s foolish to have a law when it is not being implemented at all) Pangilinan said. 

He said Comelec must disqualify at least 5 candidates per island. “Let it serve as a lesson. Mag-be-behave yan,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan is in Davao City to attend a Rock The Vote concert on May 7. Rock The Vote, which was initiated by Pangilinan last 2007, is endorsing administration senatorial candidates Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros. – Rappler.com