• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A candidate who was elected barangay captain in Bago City, Negros Occidental is in hot water after a sworn affidavit on his alleged involvement in vote-buying has been forwarded to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department.
This was confirmed yesterday by Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria, who urged witnesses in vote-buying activities to come forward and file complaints against those involved.
Another incident was reported to the police in San Enrique town, where a 59-year-old man was intercepted for allegedly distributing sample ballots with a P500 bill attached to it.
The arrested suspect was reported by the police as a relative of a candidate running for punong barangay.
Ananoria said that a complaint was also filed before the Comelec.
“Vote-buying is an election offense,” he stressed.
According to the Comelec, vote buyers and sellers may be imprisoned for six years in addition to “perpetual disqualification to hold office” and may lose their right to vote. | GB
