Aid, vaccines can buy votes, says Comelec

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Friday raised concern over the possible use of government financial assistance and the vaccination program by politicians to buy votes in the May 2022 elections.

In a statement published by Participate of the Ateneo School of Government, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said politicians may also use social services such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to bribe voters.

“That’s for sure. Surely someone will try that. The news is now, there are more vaccines than (those who) want to be vaccinated. I don’t know how effective it is but I’m sure someone will say that ‘if you vote for me, I will vaccinate you,’” Jimenez said.

“There are those who say that when you vote for me, I will include you in the 4Ps. Some even say that if you don’t vote for me, I will remove you from 4Ps. All that can be used to influence the vote will be done by the makers of vote-buying,” he added.

Jimenez also said politicians promise to deliver or threaten to withhold government services in exchange for their votes.

“That’s what I call the promise of influence. Government service promises to be withheld or provided depending on who offers. That includes vote-buying,” he added.

“There is a level of respect given by the people (to the candidate). Along with respect is the confidence that he can do what he says. When you are warned that you will not receive services, the average Filipino tends to believe,” he explained.

He also said that e-wallets can be used as means for vote-buying.