THE Police Regional Office (PRO) - Davao said on May 11 that they only received one report of vote-buying in the region during election day May 9, 2022.
During the AFP-PNP press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, May 11, PRO-Davao spokesperson PMaj. Atty. Eudisan Gultiano said the vote-buying incident occurred in the Municipality of Talaingod in Davao del Norte.
“It was a joint operation with the National Bureau of Investigation in the Davao del Norte area,” Gulatiano said.
During the operation, Gultiano said one suspect was caught and a case was already filed against the perpetrator.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) - Davao assistant regional director Atty. Gay Enumerables, vote-buying is listed as an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code Article XXII that is punishable by law.
“If convicted, (suspects maybe imprisoned) one year to six years without probation,” Enumerables, who was also present during the said press conference, said.
Gultiano did not specify details of the vote-buying incident, regarding how much money was involved or whether it was a national or local political slate or candidate.
“Walang details of the operation na ibinigay sa amin. Kasi joint operation talaga siya with the NBI” she said.
On the other hand, other election incidents during polling day May 9 were reported to Ateneo de Davao (ADDU) Blue Vote, an election watchdog group based in Davao City.
Based on their consolidated election incident report as of Tuesday, May 10, there were ten incidents of sample ballots distribution and five illegal campaigning cases. (ICM)