Politics can get really dirty in the Philippines, especially now that elections are just a week away.
Just on Saturday night, a group of 10 people known as supporters of Cavite gubernatorial candidate Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla were arrested by authorities for suspected vote-buying.
According to Radyo Inquirer, forces from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) Provincial Field Unit (PFU) and Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) in Cavite caught the suspects in Barangay (Village) Zapote 5, Bacoor City after a tip from a resident.
The resident allegedly saw the suspects giving away small brown envelopes to those in the village at around 6pm on Saturday, Manila Bulletin reported.
The operation led to authorities finding small brown envelopes containing PHP200 (US$3.85) each that amounted to PHP75,800 (US$1,458.91), The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
Also said to be in their possession were PHP83,500 (US$1,607.11) in cash, a notebook with a list of names, wristbands, and t-shirts promoting Remulla for governor, Jolo Revilla for vice governor, and the party-list WOW 169 Pilipinas.
Those arrested were identified as Teresita Tamio Marjes, Irene Herrera Morales, Elsie Del Mundo Alano, Jayson Camatoy Alab, Rex Avila Del Rosario, Jose Dizon De Leon, Gregorio Mine Tamio, Michael Rodriguez Omedes, Joselino Avilla Vill, and Jowel Lomat Sale.
According to the Manila Bulletin, five of the suspects are allegedly employees at the city hall but police have not confirmed this. They will be charged for violating the Omnibus Election Code.
Remulla, who has held the governor position before and is part of a prominent political family, has denied the allegations. In a Facebook post yesterday, he said that the envelopes were meant for his camp’s accredited poll watchers.
“We hope that authorities use their power in the right way. Our camp is open to the COMELEC (Commission on Elections), the CIDG, and other authorities to investigate our watchers’ training,” his statement reads in Filipino.
COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez told Radyo Inquirer earlier today that they have not decided to disqualify any candidates involved in the issue.
“The process is not that instant,” he said, clarifying that they are still awaiting results from investigations.
