Vote buying materials found at Negros Oriental checkpoint
Authorities in Negros Oriental apprehended a man over the weekend after discovering vote buying materials found during a routine checkpoint inspection. This happened as the province prepared for the national and local elections scheduled for Monday, May 12.
The checkpoint was set up along Barangay Lutao in Bacong. Police officers found cash inside envelopes—mostly P100 and P500 bills—along with sample ballots carefully stored in the suspect’s compartment. These items raised immediate suspicions of vote buying.
According to PNP Negros Oriental spokesperson P/Lt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, “There’s a presumption kung bakit may bitbit ‘yung isa tao na ganon, na ganon kadaming envelope, and ganong mga pera sa loob ng envelope, so there’s a presumption of vote buying.” This translates to the suspicion that carrying so many envelopes with money strongly indicates vote buying activities.
The suspect was later released, pending the filing of formal complaints to the Kontra Bigay committee of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Attempts to get a comment from the suspect have so far been unsuccessful.
Preparations underway for safe election day
Meanwhile, poll watchers and officials in the area have been busy preparing the materials needed for Monday’s elections. Automated counting machines and official ballots were handed over on Sunday afternoon.
Delivery of election materials to nearby islands was done via jetties, escorted by poll watchers, local police, and coast guard personnel to ensure security. Olympia Polling Center Electoral Board chairman Franco Gabines explained the urgency, saying, “‘Yung dagat po ay kino-consider natin pa-low tide na po, tapos ‘yung eleksyon bukas magsisimula 5 ng umaga so kailangan ready na.” In other words, the low tide and early start time of the election require materials to be ready and in place.
For remote areas, materials were transported using dump trucks, with soldiers providing added security along the way.
Maria Sheena Jamito, chair of the Mabunao Polling Center Electoral Board, expressed the commitment of teachers involved: “Para sa bayan din, ‘di ba, kasi part din ‘to sa trabaho namin. It’s a noble job. Kami talaga, ‘yung mga teacher, ‘yung heart namin nandito sa trabaho.” This highlights the dedication of educators fulfilling their election duties out of love for their country.
The authorities continue to monitor election activities closely to ensure a fair and orderly process on election day.