COMELEC HELPLESS

BINMALEY—Unless the economy improves and the poor have more productive sources of income, vote buying will continue as in the just-concluded midterm elections.

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, who cast his vote here in his hometown last Monday, made this assessment amidst accusations from opposing candidates of massive vote buying during the campaign.

“Unless you improve the economy… It’s the same…People need the money especially in the barangays,” said Ferrer.

He acknowledged that the practice is wrong, “but we cannot control it,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, Fr. Allan Morris Abuan, chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, echoed Ferrer’s sentiment saying many barangay chairmen, who were used by wily candidates to distribute money and goods to woo voters, were not educated nor admonished against vote buying.

Abuan noted that while the PPCRV organized a recollection and prayer session for local candidates as well as parishioners in the archdiocese to discourage vote buying, the practice continued.

“We can only do as much (for voters’ education campaign). The thing is that if we don’t do it, it will be more prevalent,” Abuan said, adding that perhaps the PPCRV initiative did make a dent.

Abuan said the PPCRV documented some incidents of vote buying via photograph “but if these will stand in court, that’s another problem”.

“I heard some gave each voter P200, P300, P500, P1,000 but in small towns, they gave P50,” he said.

“Even giving out grocery items is a form of vote buying and I heard in Dagupan City, the prevailing joke now is there will be more sari-sari stores to mushroom because of the collected goods collected by households from opposing camp, he added

A FIRST

On another issue, Ferrer criticized President Benigno Aquino III for personally campaigning for his preferred senatorial candidates, a first in Philippine political history.

Ferrer said it is wrong for the President to openly declare wanting to dominate the Senate because it goes against the principle of separation of powers between the administrative, legislative and judicial branches of government.

“He violates checks and balances, why? Why does he want to have 12-0. Para walang kontrabida?,” Ferrer asked.

Ferrer pointed out that while previous Presidents did make endorsements, it was done subtly.

“No, no, not that very obvious. Ag ira mansasalita ,” Ferrer said.—Eva Visperas

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments