President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advised the public against selling their votes for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Marcos admitted that he has received reports of barangay buying ahead of the 2023 local elections including in his home province, Ilocos Norte.
"Alam niyo naman na ang mga barangay official ang mga kaharap ninyo araw-araw. Ito ang mga tinatakbuhan ninyo para makatulong sa inyong mga problema," President Marcos told reporters after voting on Monday, October 30, in Brgy. Lacub, Batac, Ilocos Norte.
"Huwag niyong itatapon ang karapatan ninyo na mamili kung sino ang mamumuno doon sa inyong mga lugar, sa inyong mga barangay," the Chief Executive added.
Marcos said that vote-buying silences the right of the citizens to choose their leaders who they can trust during times of tribulations.
The Chief Executive assured that he has directed the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections to stop such illegal activities, especially in election hotspots.
