By EJ Roque/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica on Friday urged Filipinos to report cases of vote-buying in their areas.
“We encourage everyone to report all cases of vote-buying. Every report will have a significant effect in our fight against corruption. Do not be afraid. We will protect you and file appropriate charges against the violators,” Belgica said in a statement.
Belgica said vote-buying and election fraud destroys the country’s democratic process, reacting to reports on vote-buying in various cities received by his office.
“Vote-buying is a corrupt election practice that obstructs our democratic process by impeding the exercise of our rights to freely choose our leaders,” he said.
“When a candidate chooses to pay for your votes, they show utter disregard for our democratic process and a willingness to use illegal means to further their interests,” he added.
Belgica reminded candidates on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call for a clean and honest 2019 elections.
“The President is serious in having a clean election,” he said.
Belgica endorsed the various vote-buying reports his office received to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
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