MANILA, Philippines — Aside from cash, unscrupulous politicians also used eggs and rice to buy votes in the midterm elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.
PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde revealed that money was not the only item which candidates offered to sway the people’s votes in their favor.
“We confiscated 62 sacks of rice and 22 trays of eggs which have been used for buying votes of the people,” he said at a press briefing in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Fifty sacks of rice were confiscated in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and another 12 in Soccsksargen, Albayalde said.
The eggs were seized from suspects who were allegedly buying votes in Lipa City, Batangas.
A total of 364 persons, including eight minors, were arrested for vote buying and selling during the election period.
The PNP also seized P12.2 million in cash from the suspects. Of that amount, nearly P8 million were from the Caraga region.