Comelec working with consulate in Hong Kong to verify alleged vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is coordinating with the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong to verify reports of alleged vote-buying during a recent political rally for Eleksyon 2025. 

According to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body has yet to confirm social media posts alleging that each overseas Filipino voter who attended the sortie received HKD200 (approximately P1,500). 

“May nakarating sa ating balita at impormasyon sa bagay na 'yan na allegedly para iboto ng straight ang mga pumunta ng Hong Kong, pero ‘yan ay kinakailangang i-verify nang mabuti…baka 'yan ay fake news,” Garcia told reporters on Monday. 

(We received information that that allegedly [attendees were given money] to vote straight for the slate. However, we still need to verify that. That could be fake news.)

“Tayo po ay nakikipag-communicate sa ating konsulada sa Hong Kong para makakuha ng mga balita tungkol sa bagay na 'yan,” he added. 

(We’re communicating with the Hong Kong consulate to obtain more information about it.)

Several social media posts accused the political slate of distributing HKD200 to each attendee to supposedly influence them to cast their ballots in favor of the group’s senatorial candidates. Garcia said the Comelec has yet to receive a complaint or letter about the incident but if found true, the erring candidates may face disqualification cases. 

No criminal charges may be filed against them due to issues of territoriality. 

“Kung saka-sakali, walang jurisdiction ang Comelec o Pilipinas pag ang isang krimen ay na-commit outside the Philippines. Territorial kasi ang criminal law natin…Pero siyempre, dahil ito ay issue allegedly ng vote-buying, 'di tayo papayag na wala tayong impormasyon kung makatotohanan o hindi ang balita na 'yan,” said Garcia. 

(If true, the Comelec and the Philippines will have no jurisdiction over the case because it occurred outside the country. Our criminal law is territorial. But of course, because this is an alleged issue of vote-buying, we will not allow it that we have no information whether this is true or not.)

“Maaaring walang criminal case pero pupwedeng magkaroon ng disqulification cases kahit pa na-commit outside the Philippines. Inuulit ko, wala itong katotohanan pa sa kasalukuyan, wala pa tayong nare-receive na credible evidence to prove ang mga bagay na yan,” he added. 

(There might be no criminal case but we can file disqualification cases even if the violation was committed outside the Philippines. But I stress, currently this has not been proven to be true. We have not yet received credible evidence to prove this is true.)

Garcia said upon receiving a complaint or letter, the Comelec will endorse the case to the Committee on Kontra Bigay, which the poll body relaunched in February to impose stricter measures against vote-buying, vote-selling, and the abuse of state resources for the upcoming May midterm elections. — BM, GMA Integrated News 

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