EP 33: Vote-Buying Goes Digital for 2022 Polls?

Vote buying - it’s wrong, it’s illegal, and we have strict laws against it. 

But it's been staple in any election cycle in the Philippines. 

And based on stories on the ground, and even from candidates themselves it’s only getting worse. 

With the price of vote increasing, election campaigns also become even more expensive. 

And how do you think winning candidates will eventually recoup such huge expenses?

It’s a vicious cycle and we can’t really blame those who have gone cynical and accepted vote-buying as a fact of life in our country.

But let’s add to the bad news.  

Recently, the Philippine National Police sounded the alarm on vote-buying likely going digital in the 2022 elections.

The Commission on Elections agreed. 

It’s not exactly difficult to predict given the rise in online transactions and digital wallets. the possibilities are just many even for those who’d like their vote-buying activities more efficient and perhaps, even secure.

So we can’t raise the white flag just because the problem seems enormous.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra talks to Former Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia, Election Lawyer Emil Marañon and Fintech Alliance PH Chairman Lito Villanueva to try to understand the nature of vote-buying in the Philippines and look for ways to address the problem especially in the digital space.