NOT only are politicians accountable for buying votes, but also voters who are selling their votes.
This was the reminder of Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, who said that political candidates and voters are both liable for possibly committing an election offense.
"In cases of vote buying, both the politician and the voters are accountable since they sell votes," said Bacani in a radio interview.
He pointed out, however, that politicians are more liable since they are the ones that initiate such acts.
"The politician is more accountable because they are the ones that make the offer," said Bacani.
The retired prelate said voters selling their votes should not make another mistake by actually voting for the candidate who gave them money.
"If they already made a mistake of accepting money for their vote, they shouldn't vote for that candidate. No person is obliged to fulfill an immoral contract," he said.
Bacani's statement came after presidential aspirant, Vice President Leni Robredo, advised voters to take the money offered by politicians during the campaign period but still vote according to their conscience.
Robredo's statement was immediately rebuked by the Commission on Elections, which pointed out that vote buying is an election offense.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is considered an election offense for any person to give, offer, or promise money or anything of value in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.
The law also prohibits the act of any person, group, or community to solicit or receive money or anything of value in exchange of voting for or against any candidate.
An election offense carries the penalty of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)