Buying your Vote in the Philippines
Does Vote Buying still happen in the Philippines?
Yes, Vote buying is still a concern in the Philippines, and with more elections coming, the subject crops up again.
The Poverty Action group stated: “estimated that about 30 percent of Filipinos were offered money by a politician or local leader during the 2010 election campaign”
They also stated that payments per voter were between 20 to 500 pesos per vote. I have heard that some people get 3,000 for their vote.
CNN Philippines reported that: “Unfortunately, vote buying remains one of the favorite pastimes of politicians.” This was in 2018, when it was reported that 9 people had been arrested by the police for alleged vote buying in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Who are the people that sell their vote and Why?
The Poor will be more likely to sell their vote, and give their family a little extra food that week.
Can anyone blame them?
Some of them can be quite clever, and sell their vote to more than one candidate, but still vote how they feel… But tell no one… After all they don’t want this cash flow to stop…
What is Vote Buying?
Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.
That sounds similar to most elections worldwide, but the difference is that in most countries the promises are general, and typically apply to an area. While in the Philippines it is to the individual, and often in cash.