MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will run after companies found conspiring with candidates in vote buying using mobile payment services during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.
In a radio interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said these companies may face charges for conspiracy to commit vote buying.
He advised these companies to monitor high-volume transactions, especially in the days prior to election day.
Garcia said companies should be suspicious when money is sent to 50 to 200 people in one day.
He said companies involved in digital wallets and online banking have vowed to support Comelec’s efforts against vote buying.
The poll body intends to sign a memorandum of agreement with these companies, Garcia said.
The Comelec had earlier said it would coordinate with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to monitor transactions involving large sums of money on GCash and PayMaya.
Garcia said violators can be charged with vote buying and face imprisonment of up to six years.