The Liberal Party in Pangasinan
today denounced what they described as “systematized” and “massive vote-buying
operations” that were reportedly taking place almost in all cities and towns of
the province in the run up before the May 13 election day.
Former Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, LP-Pangasinan spokesman, expressed apprehension
that vote-buying was so rampant that it may affect election results in the province.
“We have been receiving field reports that vote-buying operations are taking
place in all areas of Pangasinan three days before the actual election day,”
Lambino said in a statement.
“The systematized vote-buying was obviously intended not only to affect the
outcome of the electoral contest in the municipal level, but also in provincial
and congressional levels,” he added.
Lambino noted that political operators have set up fixed and mobile “buying
stations” in Pangasinan, where voters are given cash ranging from P200 to P500
stapled to sample ballots of certain candidates.
In some cases, he said, the vote-buyers were offering P10,000 to families with
at least four registered voters in the household.
Lambino explained that the number of policemen deployed in the province were
apparently not enough to cover the wide-scale vote-buying operations.
“To avoid detection by the police, the vote-buyers have set up stations in
private residences as well as in properties of barangay officials,” the LP
spokesman pointed out.
“These wily operators are so
imaginative that they are using every nook and cranny as vote-buying stations.
These include sari-sari stores and buses, where the cash are handed out
together with the sample ballots,” he added.
Nevertheless, LP gubernatorial
candidate Hernani A. Braganza expressed optimism that Pangasinan voters would
not be swayed by the huge some of money given to them by these political
operators.
“The voters of Pangasinan are
intelligent enough to vote in accordance with their conscience, even if some of
them were forced to accept money from candidates out of fear or necessity,”
Braganza said.
“Some of them were even telling me: Kay
Espino ang pera, Braganza sa balota,” he added.
Braganza explained that he and the
other LP candidates have succeeded in explaining to the voters the problems
plaguing Pangasinan as well as the possible solutions to address these issues.
“We have succeeded in discussing the
real issues in this election, and our people have responded positively to our
call for reforms and good governance,” he added.
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