Religious, legal groups denounce massive vote-buying in Mt Province

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Massive vote-buying in various forms, and other election irregularities were perpetrated by candidates and their political henchmen in practically all barangays in this province during the May election.

This was bared by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting-IBP Legal Network for Truthful Elections (PPCRV-LENTE) here.

“We denounce and condemn the massive vote buying in various forms, and other election irregularities perpetrated by candidates ad their political henchmen,” the group said in a statement.

Earlier on the campaign, cellular phone cards bearing the initial of a congressional candidate, were reportedly distributed for free to youth campaigners.

In the barrios, “ato” people and clans were encouraged to have reunions and were given money for pigs, rice, ingredients, and drinks.

The group said barangay officials and campaign leaders were given at least P30,000. “Some two or three days before election day on May 14, these officials or campaign leaders were given P50,000 or higher, depending upon the number of voting precincts covered, for distribution to the voters, in various amounts: P200, P500, P1,000. Each watcher per precinct was also given P1,500 plus P500 for food; P500 each for assistors and P200 for leaders. In some barangays, most if not all the voters were appointed leaders, assistors or watchers.”

Initial reports also revealed that on election day in at least two barangays in the province, voters were herded into “vote buying stations” where they were given drinks and money, and were urged to vote for an incumbent high government official.

“In Paracelis, a special election may be conducted due to ballot box snatching. It was learned that voting in about 50% in the municipality was supervised by board of election inspectors whose composition was questionable,” the group said.

In Sagada, a disqualification case was reportedly filed against a candidate for a top post on charge of vote buying, while in Betwagan, Sadanga, ballot boxes were snatched and burned.

“Now that elections are over, there is a big job to do. Let’s work together in our quest for peaceful, clean and honest elections in our province,” the PPCRV-LENTE said. “We urge democracy-loving individuals who personally witnessed those anomalies to come out to the open and execute affidavits in order that appropriate cases maybe filed against perpetrators of election fraud. We, therefore, strongly encourage everyone to come forward and support us in this worthy endeavor.”

For comments, the group could be reached through the PPC-RV office in Teng-ab, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Fr. John Marion Buyagawan, PPCRV provincial coordinator with cell phone number 09209288521 could also be contacted or through email: bontoclagawe@yahoo.com.ph.
Others are PPC-RV local coordinators in mission stations or Rev. Lioba Achawon through CP 09183168198.