Bohol barangay poll bets warned relief distribution is 'vote-buying'

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Friday reminded local officials running in the October 28 barangay elections in quake-ravaged Bohol province that distributing relief goods is a form of vote-buying.

Brillantes said in a radio interview that barangay candidates are now prohibited to join relief efforts for the earthquake victims because of the upcoming election.

"Yung mayor, dadaan sa kanya yung [relief goods] galing sa public funds at [Department of Social Welfare and Development], pero hindi na pwedeng ibigay ng mayor sa barangay officials na kandidato ... kasi parang namimili na ng boto ang mga 'yan e," he said.

Baranay elections in Bohol has been postponed for a month as areas are still recovering from the 7.2-magnitude quake's effects.

On Thursday, the Comelec issued Resolution 9804 designating the Philippine Red Cross to administer government funds and the distribution of goods to prevent their use for politicking.

"All releases in relation to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Province of Bohol, normally or usually coursed through the DSWD, and any other official/department of the government performing similar functions shall be turned over to, and administered and disbursed by, the Philippine National Red Cross, subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit or its representatives," the poll body resolution states.

The resolution also warns that violation of the resolution can be considered vote-buying, carrying a penalty of disqualification from the polls and imprisonment.

This followed a fracas between Municipal Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr. of Maribojoc, Bohol and Red Cross volunteers earlier this week.

Evasco insisted that Red Cross should turn over relief goods to the government and allow it to go through a centralized distribution system--an order which volunteers readily refused.

The mayor accused Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon of using the organization for his personal political gain and called its volunteers "arrogant."