A Catholic priest in Bohol has vowed to take a tough stance against vote buying in the upcoming midterm elections, warning politicians that they will face prosecution if caught engaging in the practice.
Father Darwin Añober Gitgano, a parish vicar in Valencia, Bohol, said he has already spoken to candidates in the area and warned them that he will personally sue them if they are found to be buying votes.
"We will not tolerate vote buying in our community," Father Gitgano said in a statement. "We will work with the authorities to ensure that those who engage in this practice are held accountable."
Father Gitgano, who is also the assistant head of the St. Michael the Archangel Ministry of Healing, Deliverance and Exorcism, said that vote buying is a perennial problem in the Philippines that has been institutionalized and has led to widespread corruption.
He cited a statement by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong that up to 50% of project funds are pocketed by corrupt politicians and their cohorts.
As part of his efforts to combat vote buying, Father Gitgano has organized a team of volunteers who will monitor the presence of vote buying and selling in their respective barangays and will sign affidavits as witnesses to support any complaints filed.
He has also enlisted the help of at least three lawyers who have volunteered their services in drafting complaints against those who engage in vote buying.
Father Gitgano said he will coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that those who engage in vote buying are held accountable.
"We will not let vote buying continue to undermine our democracy," he said. "We will work tirelessly to ensure that our elections are free and fair."
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