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Sunday, May 09, 2004
Local execs warned v. fake P500 bills
PANGASINAN -- Fake P500 bills may circulate in the province during the last few days of the local campaign and on Monday, warned local government officials in the third district.
The local officials, who requested anonymity, said some unscrupulous politicians would be circulating counterfeit money in a desperate bid to buy votes.
"These local politicians are also being eyed as the people behind the surge in election-related violence in the third district," said local executives.
They added they received top information that the counterfeit bills would be circulated in various barangays in San Carlos City and the towns of Calasiao, Bayambang, Sta. Barbara, Mapandan and Malasiqui.
The counterfeit money reportedly came from a syndicate in Central Visayas, the local officials said.
They were allegedly told that many political candidates who have limited campaign funds and poor chances of winning had resorted to using counterfeit money for the May 10 elections.
"These fake P500 bills are reportedly bought at a price of P1.50 per piece. One million pesos worth of these counterfeit money will only cost an unscrupulous politician P15,000. If bought in bulk, the price is much lower," the local executives said.
The local executives said the fake P500 bills could pass off as genuine but a closer look will reveal otherwise.
"We are warning the people not to accept money from politicians, especially the infamous ones, or they could take the money and turn this over to the authorities for investigation," they said.
While in Cagayan de Oro City, congressional candidate Gov. Miguel de Jesus is reportedly trying to buy votes using fake P500 and P1,000 bills to boost his campaign.
Mayor Vicente Emano and gubernatorial candidate Oscar Moreno, however, debunked the allegations and said it would be "foolish" to believe the reports.
Emano said this is only black propaganda fabricated by the political rivals de Jesus. "If they have any evidence then let them file their charges," he said.
Limited bills
Also, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier admitted that the supply of P20 and P10 notes has dwindled as the May 10 elections nears.
BSP Currency Operations Unit Manager Remedios Lozano said the scarcity of P20 and P10 notes is a usual circumstance during elections period.
A limited supply of P20 and P10 bills has been felt in Davao City, according to Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Sr.
Mahipus said the limited supply of notes is an inconvenience for political candidates, although he clarified that the bills are not going to be used in vote-buying.
"Our leaders or supporters who often ask for transport fares, it's good if we have P20 or P10 bills for this. It's inconvenient to still go to gas stations or stores to have your bills changed," Mahipus said in the dialect. Fred P. Macaraeg/Aurea A. Gerundia/Lizanilla J. Amarga
(May 9, 2004 issue)
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