DOJ to help task force vs vote-buying

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will create a team that will assist the inter-agency task force in investigating reports of vote-buying ahead of the May 9 elections.

In a message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would create a team composed of the National Prosecution Service, National Bureau of Investigation, Public Attorney's Office, and the DOJ Action Center.

“Considering the importance of the forthcoming elections to the survival and recovery of the nation, I will direct the DOJ contingent to give the highest priority to this campaign in the next 40 days,” Guevarra said on Tuesday.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia earlier said the Task Force Kontra Bigay would be composed of several agencies, including the NBI, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Information Agency.

Malacañang has discouraged the public from buying and selling votes since these are election offenses.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, any person found guilty of any election offense shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years.

He or she is also denied the right to vote and is prohibited from entering public office.
A fine is imposed on any political party found guilty. — VBL, GMA News