As Filipino voters prepare to cast their votes for the 2025 national and local elections, the election watchdog group Kontra Daya raised alarms over what it describes as long-standing and deeply rooted forms of electoral fraud that go beyond the act of casting ballots on Election Day, Monday, May 12.
Kontra Daya convenor Dr. Mike Pante emphasized that election fraud is often set in motion well ahead of the election season, sometimes starting years before the actual vote.
“Hindi dapat nakatutok lamang doon sa pagsiguro doon sa kalidad ng boto sa mismong araw ng halalan — kailangan nating bantayan ‘yung mga teknikal na aspeto ng automated elections system natin,” he said.
Moreover, he explained that electoral fraud should not be narrowly defined as merely vote-buying or ballot-switching on Election Day.
“Hindi natin pwede ikulong ang depinisyon ng electoral fraud doon sa pagbili ng boto, the day before o yung pagpapalit ng mga balota sa mismong araw ng eleksyon. Oo, porma ng pandaraya ‘yan pero mas nakababahala ng porma ng pandaraya yung halimbawa itong disinformasyon na nangyayari bago pa man, taon pa man bago ang eleksyon,” Pante pointed out.
Pante added that even more alarming forms of fraud include the spread of disinformation, which can begin years before the actual elections.
Vote buying
When asked about the challenges in elections, Dr. Pante confirmed a noticeable surge in traditional vote-buying tactics, which is a phenomenon also observed by international election monitors.
“Nakakabahala [ang vote-buying] kasi hindi mo naman kailangan maging electoral watchdog para marinig yung mga kwento at pumunta ka lang sa mga kumpulan ng tao sa palengke, o pumunta ka lang doon sa kapit-bahay mo maririnig at maririnig mo open secret yan a namumudmod ng mga pera dahil paparating na bukas ang ating halalan,” he stressed.
He cited reports received through Kontra Daya’s tip line, revealing that cash distributions to voters could reach as high as ₱16,000 per person.
“Hanggang 16,000 ang bigayan ng mga namimili ng kanilang boto pero ang tingin rin namin sa Kontra Daya, manipestasyon nga yan ng napakalaking agwat sa pagitan nong may mga hawak ng economic and political resources at yung mga taong walang-wala,” Dr. Pante reiterated.
He emphasized that poverty and unemployment are exploited by politicians who offer “ayuda” or short-term financial relief in exchange for electoral support, continuing a vicious cycle that keeps traditional power holders entrenched in office.
Pante further revealed that vote-buying schemes have also evolved into more sophisticated strategies to ensure returns on politicians’ "investments."
“Nakakareceive din kami sa aming tip line na makabagong pamamaraan na pagsiguro na yung namimigay ng pera ay makukuha niya essentially iyong investment na ipinuhunan niya doon sa pera,” he stated.
The election watchdog pointed out that while the use of cellphones inside polling precincts is prohibited, there are still instances where voters manage to sneak them in, to take photos of their ballots to prove that they voted for the candidate who gave them money.
He noted that such practices are especially rampant in rural provinces where registered voters are few, making it easy to track who did or didn’t vote for certain candidates.
“Lalong-lalo na sa mga liblib na probinsya... mahirap magtago na hindi mo binoto yung mga taong namudmod ng pera don... Kaya nga makakarinig ka madalas sa mga probinsya na parang complete slate,” he continued.
Moreover, Dr. Pante warned of a more alarming scheme where voters are given cash explicitly to refrain from voting.
“Meron din mga pulitiko na aware din sila sa ganoong klase sistema kung kaya ang ginagawa nila bibigyan ka nila ng pera pero dahil alam nila na ang gusto mong iboto ay yung oposisyon o yung kalaban bibigyan ka nila ng pera para huwag bumoto... dahil kung alam nila kung saan ka nakatira,” Pante raised concerns.
He cautioned that this is especially dangerous in remote areas where political warlords — still governed by the notorious "Guns, Goons, and Gold" — intimidate voters into submission.
‘Fake news’ intensifies as 2025 election nears
Aside from vote buying, disinformation campaigns have also worsened in the lead-up to the election.
“Malaki, napakalaki pa rin talaga ng dis impormasyon... Just yesterday, last night huling araw ng kampanya may mga nagpapakalat ng news na disqualified na raw yung party-list na Bayan Muna,” he shared.
Pante predicted that the spread of false news and misinformation will intensify even further in the hours leading up to election day.
“Inaasahan namin ngayong araw, maging hanggang bukas nang umaga titindi pa ‘yan lalong lala ‘yan, yung mga nagsasabing disqualified ito, disqualified this kasi from the previous elections nakita na natin yan, nakita na nating nag-operate yung ganitong last minute disinformation campaign,“ claimed Pante.
‘Vicious cycle of poverty and poor governance’
Pante concluded by highlighting how systemic poverty perpetuates political manipulation, ultimately undermining democratic processes.
“Tumitindi talaga ang kahirapan, hindi natin itanggi yan... iyong desperasyon na ito ay nagluluwal ng isang sistema na kakapit na lang sa patalim yung mga tao at iboboto nila yung nakikita nilang namimigay sa kanila ng panandaliang ayuda,” Pante claimed.
He lamented the lack of meaningful economic programs especially in agriculture and manufacturing, forcing millions of Filipinos to seek work abroad, deepening the nation’s vulnerabilities.
“May mga politiko na sinasamantala yung kahirapang ito sila ang nahahalal... tapos ang ending itong mga politiko na ito rin yung mga bibigay, ang magpapatupad ng mga polisiya na lalong nagpapahirap sa ating bansa,” he said.
Pante also criticized the growing tendency of elections to become mere ‘popularity contests and battles between political dynasties’.
“Naging popularity contest na nga lang itong eleksyon plus interfamily battle dahil pare-parehong pangalan, nagpapalit-palit lang sila whether magkakapatid o mula sa magulang papunta sa mga anak. Ang hirap hirap humanap ng puwang rito,” he pointed out.
Dr. Pante encouraged the public to expose the misuse of public resources, funds and hold politicians accountable through institutional mechanisms and public mobilization.
