By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
President Marcos Jr., son of former President Marcos Sr. advices against vote buying. Photo courtesy of The Monitor- Mindanao Today.
President Marcos Jr. reiterated the significance of local elections and its outcome for national polls after casting his vote for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in his home province Ilocos Norte on Monday, October 30.
Marcos advised the voting public against selling their votes and elect deserving candidates as barangay officials.
"Kaya't kung idadaan lang sa bayaran ay hindi kayo, mawawala ang boses ninyo (So if you choose to sell your vote, you'll lose your voice)," Marcos said in an interview.
The president also acknowledged that vote-buying remains rampant preceding the 17 vote-buying incidents in different regions recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., vote buying incidents were recorded in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 6, 7, 9, 12, and NCR.
Marcos also cited how the outcomes of BSKE will affect national elections.
"The political dynamics is very simple. If halimbawa (for example), you are running for mayor, and the majority of the barangay officials (who) are on your side, are helping you, ay talagang malaking bagay ‘yon (it's really a big deal). It will make it much easier to be elected in the local level," the president said.
"But this applies all the way up to the national level, hanggang for the midterm elections for example, what happens here in the barangay as a result of the barangay elections today are going to have an effect on the results of the midterm elections and subsequently in the national elections," he added.
Barangay elections, according to the President, are held on a very close and personal level, which is why the government wants to keep it from becoming fierce.
He also assured that the government together with the PNP and Commission on Elections would do its part to enforce all laws to prevent vote-buying.
Voters can cast their votes starting 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today only. Commissions on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Garcia addresses those seeking for an extension on voting hours, claiming there is no basis to extend and will officially close at the prior announced time.