Winning bets facing poll violation charges to be suspended

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will swiftly enforce suspensions ordered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over poll charges amid reports of rampant violations at the start of the campaign period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos warned candidates yesterday.

“Even if you win, if the Comelec orders to dismiss you, I will make sure that you are removed from your position. We will do this to maintain the integrity of the elections,” he said in a statement.

“It has come to our attention that there are candidates in the coming BSKE who are deliberately committing the prohibited acts defined in our election laws, especially illegal campaigning and vote buying,” Abalos added.

There were also reports of oversized campaign posters, posting outside designated areas, as well as vote buying using online fund transfers and giving “ayuda” to voters.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the en banc has agreed to suspend the proclamation of winning BSKE candidates even if their pending disqualification cases have not been resolved prior to election day. Candidates should not be allowed to take their positions if they have pending cases, especially if it involves premature campaigning and vote buying, he said. — Ghio Ong, Rhodina Villanueva, Elizabeth Marcelo, Emmanuel Tupas