Fr. Soc to vote-buyers: You cannot fool the people now
LINGAYEN – Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas weighed in on the reported massive vote buying in Pangasinan, warning those who want to frustrate the will of the people that they cannot fool the public now.
Villegas called on the candidates buying votes to stand on their platform and for what is right.
The prelate said it is an insult to dangle money on the voters’ freedom and ability to choose the rightful candidates.
“The ideal thing to do really is to reject the money so they will be embarrassed but if one can not reject the money for fear that tension might erupt, the people should silently accept the money but should not be tied to the gift given to them,”, he said.
”One is not obliged morally and legally to observe an illegal and immoral transaction,” he said.
He said he knows how hard it is for a hungry and poor man to reject the money and even grocery items being offered to them but they should not be afraid to stand up to the corrupt candidates for if they don’t, their future will be put in the hands of the wrong candidates.
Meanwhile, the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) has formed three teams tasked to stop vote-buying anywhere in Pangasinan.
Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police provincial director for operations, said the Task Force “Bulabog” is posted in strategic areas of Pangasinan that will enable it to act promptly on any report of vote-buying.
He said that since Monday, May 2, the Pangasinan police has been receiving at least 10 text messages a day reporting suspected vote-buying activities.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Joel Gines clarified on Wednesday that it is the police, not his office, that will run after operators of vote-buying.
He added that it is difficult to prosecute vote-buyers and receivers unless they both execute affidavits admitting to the criminal act. (Leonardo Micua)
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