The midterm polling station in the Philippines has just opened on Monday (5/13), at 06.00 local time, but the police has received a massive vote-buying report. (AFP Photo / Ted Aljibe)

Mass Vote-Purchasing Case in The Philippines Leads to A Concern

Philippines - Voting season, the mid-term elections in the Philippines has just opened on Monday (13/5) morning at 06.00 local time at several polling stations. However, not long after the opening, the police have received massive vote-purchasing reports in various areas of the Philippines which leads to a concern for the country.

Oscar Albayalde, the head of Philippines National Police (PNP) mentioned that starting at 06.00 local time, PNP had detained 230 people in 79 incidents of vote-purchasing cases since the campaign on January 13. In addition, PNP is currently investigating 43 election-related violence cases that have killed 20 people and injured 24 people during the voting time.

For many years, every election in the Philippines has always been tinged with bloody and deathly incidents with several dead victims including official political candidates. The police had to send around 16,505 personnel throughout the Philippines to ensure the security during the election and to prevent more victims, since safety is one the biggest concerns in this high criminal country.

This situation occured especially in this election, there are 18 thousand government positions that will be contested, including half the portion of seats in the Senate upper house. It is reported that Duterte supporters are the most active voters, considering that Duterte has implemented stronger laws in the Philippines, including the re-implementation of death executions which also concerned the citizens.

Duterte is being suspected by the opposition that he will amend length of service of the Philippines leader which has been set for only one period. If the rule is  completely changed, Duterte can take part in the election again in this election and leads the Philippines again for next 4 years.

Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20190513090618-106-394272/pemilu-filipina-dibayangi-kasus-pembelian-suara-massal