DIPOLOG CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 8, 2013) – Police arrested four people in Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte provinces accused of buying votes ahead of local and national elections, officials said Wednesday.
Officials identified those arrested as Maila Laput, 34; Carmelita Perez, 48; Cleofe Ogoc, 37; and Maria Bayron, 23, all of Dipolog City.
The arrests were carried out by the local police chief, Supt. Joven Rendon Parcon and Supt. Reynaldo Maclang, commander of the Public Safety Company.
Officials said the four people were caught on the act of facilitating in vote buying in the village of Sicayab and police seized from them five pieces of sample ballots with markings May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections Dipolog and money.
Police said the sample ballots were allegedly stapled with some P3,000 each.
Listed in the ballot were names of political parties and its local candidates running for elections – Congressman Number 2 – Yebes, Rolando (NUP); Governor – Jalosjos, Cesar (NP); Vice-Governor – Chan, Jing (NP). Board Members- Andaling, Larry (NUP); Mejorada, Ricky (NUP); Ranillo, Alan (NUP); Yebes, Rolando Jr (NUP). Mayor- Jalosjos – Carreon, Cely (NP); Vice-Mayor – Olvis, Francis (UNA); Councillors – Acis, Rey (UNA); Adriatico, Cedric (NUP); Ajero, Genesis (NP); Baguio, Edgar (NUP); Bala, Cesar (UNA); Lacaya, Nenita (NP); Naong, Clyde (NP); Yebes, Chady (NUP); Zamoras, Edionar (NP); and Barinaga, Matoy (MKB).
Police also confiscated some 48 pieces of sample ballots, 6 pieces index cards listed with different voters’ name, assorted papers listed with several names of voters with their respective precincts numbers in the village of Sicayab.
Vote-buying in considered an election offense in the Philippines under the Omnibus Election Code and carries a penalty of one year to six years imprisonment. (Mindanao Examiner)
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