THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-Central Visayas acknowledged that there is currently no mechanism in place to identify vote-buying through digital transactions, but noted that unusual activity patterns could be flagged in the future.
In a forum dubbed “Energized and Connected: Infrastructure Readiness for a Transparent Election” on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, DICT 7 Director Frederick Amores said that while financial institutions monitor transaction volumes for suspicious behavior, detecting vote-buying remains a challenge without a specific framework.
“There’s no mechanism yet. But moving forward, one could be developed,” said Amores. “For instance, if transaction volumes spike abnormally—say from just one or two a day to over a thousand—that could be a potential red flag.”
In January this year, DICT said it was monitoring at least eight financial apps that can be used for vote-buying in the 2025 elections.
DICT said it is working with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which is the regulator of digital financial apps.
In March this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) urged all banks and other financial companies to be extra careful about people using online banking, mobile wallets and other digital ways to buy or sell votes in the upcoming 2025 elections.
The BSP said these digital tools could be used to hide illegal money deals related to elections. They want banks to keep a close eye on accounts and transactions that look suspicious as the election gets closer.
What to watch for
The BSP gave some examples of how vote-buying or selling might occur through digital channels:
a) Lots of new accounts opening up in areas known for election fraud.
b) Big amounts of cash being moved around or checks being cashed during the election period.
c) Strange patterns of money going between accounts and digital wallets, like many small amounts going to one person, or one big amount being split into many smaller ones.
d) A lot more cash being deposited or taken out by people who act as money agents.
Report suspicious activity
The BSP also reminded banks that they have to report any transactions that look like something illegal might be going on. This includes money deals that don’t fit what the customer usually does with their money, seem designed to hide how much money is really involved, or don’t make sense for the customer’s normal business. Transactions that could be linked to vote-buying, selling votes, misusing government resources during elections, or even bigger crimes like money laundering or terrorism funding. / KOC