Scandalous Scrape: Bise Mayor Candidate Under Investigation for "Vote Buying" Ahead of May 12, 2025 Elections
Presidential candidate under investigation
Man, oh man, the political scene in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, has taken a wild turn! One of the mayoral candidates and an incumbent barangay captain is under the microscope for alleged vote buying practices before the National and Local Elections (NLE) slated for May 12, 2025.
The authorities nabbed a 22-wheeler truck loaded with sacks of rice, suspected to have been disguised as groceries, from the home of the barangay captain in Purok 6, Barangay Manat on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Police Major Catherine Dela Rey, speaking at a press conference hosted by the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps, revealed that the Nabunturan Municipal Police Station confiscated a white Howo trailer truck carrying rice for personal distribution.
"So we confiscated the truck carrying the rice, and when it reached the police, people were allegedly waiting to receive the rice," said the official.
According to Dela Rey, an ongoing investigation by the police suggests that the rice distribution was arranged by the personal secretary of the barangay captain and some members of the Barangay Police or Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO).
Authorities have confirmed that the truck carried 2,500 sacks of rice. While 1,000 sacks were allegedly distributed to people before the police arrived, 1,500 sacks remain as evidence.
The truck driver was arrested, while the rice and the truck were held by the Nabunturan Municipal Police Station for documentation and further investigation.
The authorities are currently questioning other individuals suspected to be involved in the incident, including the candidate himself.
On a related note, according to Comelec Resolution No. 11104, the use of public or private resources, including food packs, financial assistance, or similar forms of aid, to gain electoral advantage during campaign season is considered a violation[1].
This resolution defines "vote buying" as any act of giving, offering, or promising money or anything of value to induce votes, which is punishable by law[2]. If proven, such actions may lead to the candidate's disqualification, criminal charges, and imprisonment, as outlined in the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines[2].
Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story! Remember, friends, let's keep politics clean and fair for everyone!
Sources:
- The Philippine Star
- Rappler
- Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Manila Bulletin
- The investigations surrounding vote buying practices in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, have brought the politics of the Philippines into the spotlight, as the case involves a mayoral candidate and a barangay captain.
- In a shocking development, a white Howo trailer truck carrying rice for personal distribution was confiscated by the Nabunturan Municipal Police Station, allegedly indicative of vote buying activities ahead of the 2025 elections.
- The police investigation suggests that the rice distribution was organized by the personal secretary of the barangay captain and some members of the Barangay Police or Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO), highlighting the intersection of politics and crime-and-justice in the Philippines.
- As per Comelec Resolution No. 11104, the use of resources like food packs or financial assistance for electoral advantage during campaign season is a violation, and if proven, such actions may lead to the candidate's disqualification, criminal charges, and imprisonment, emphasizing the significance of adhering to general-news principles like fairness in politics.
- Moreover, if found guilty of vote buying, the candidate will face severe consequences, as outlined in the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, re-affirming the importance of maintaining a transparent and honest electoral process in the Philippines and Davao region, particularly during the upcoming 2025 elections.
