GENERAL SANTOS CITY, (PNA) — Police and election personnel are set to file vote-buying and illegal campaigning charges against a candidate for a village council seat in Alabel town in Sarangani Province who was arrested while allegedly distributing campaign leaflets containing some money on Sunday night.
Chief Insp. Reynaldo Denila, Alabel municipal police station chief, identified the suspect as Reynan Mesa, who is running for councilor of Barangay Kawas in Alabel.
He said Mesa, who is currently detained at the Alabel police station, was caught by police and Commission on Election (Comelec) personnel in the act of distributing money and campaign materials at around 7:35 p.m. Sunday in Purok 5 of Barangay Kawas.
Recovered from the suspect were several of his campaign leaflets and around P1,800 in cash, he said.
“According to some residents, the suspect gave them P100 to P200 in cash along with his leaflets,” Denila said.
The official said they got wind of Mesa’s illegal activities after being tipped by local residents early Sunday evening.
He said they immediately reported the matter to the Comelec provincial office, which ordered the rounding up of the candidate.
Denila said the suspect will be charged with vote-buying as provided under the Omnibus Election Code and violation of the campaign regulation for the barangay elections.
Based on Comelec rules governing the barangay polls, the campaign period already ended on midnight Saturday and any violation of such provision constitute an election offense.
The police official said candidates who would be caught violating such rule may face disqualification and even jail terms.