Vote buying starts 2 BARANGAY CHAIR CAUGHT WITH MONEY, BAGS OF RICE

The vote buying operations have started in my home province of North Cotabato with 6 days left before the elections.

Today, two barangay chairmen from the town of Tulunan were intercepted by policemen while passing through the town of Mlang using vehicles with government plates loaded with rice and election campaign materials.

Alfredo Losbañez, chairman of Barangay Baynosa and Richard Pandacan, chairman of Barangay Caridad, both in Tulunan town also yielded envelopes with money.

The two obviously came from a political gathering where they received the bags of rice and money, according to authorities of Mlang who intercepted them.

The involvement of barangay chairmen in the political campaign is made worse by their use of government vehicles for political purposes.

Department of Interior and Local Govrrnment Secretary Eduardo Ano earlier issued a directive which prohibited barangay officials from engaging in partisan politics.

Mlang Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol said charges will be filed against the barangay chairmen.

Last night, during the Cabinet meeting, I informed President Rody Duterte of the worsening situation of vote buying in my province.

He promised to closely monitor the situation as he earlier vowed that he will not allow vote buying and terrorism to mar the mid-term elections

(Photos submitted by Board Member Socrates Piñol)