Malasakit at Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Anthony Golez on Saturday stressed that the passage of his proposed bill declaring vote buying as a heinous crime will protect the sanctity of election which is vital to democracy.

Under House bill 1709 or “Vote-Buying is a Heinous Crime Act”, he stated that giving and offering money or anything of value, including the promise of position in any office, granting public or private contact, in exchange for votes by a buyer or political party during the election is considered as an offense.

“Ang eleksyon sa ating bansa ay isang napaka-halagang demokratikong proseso na dapat seryosohin, hindi lamang ang ating pinuno, kundi pati ang mamamayan po natin. Ang halalan, diyan po nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating komunidad at ating bansa,” he said in an interview during DZRH’s Special on Saturday (SoS) on Aug. 13.

“Ngayon, kung wawalang-hiyain ang proseso na ito, para nating sinasabing na binebenta natin ang kinabukasan ng bansa,” he added.

Three penalties will be charged for those who are proven guilty by the court of vote-buying offenses mentioned above.

The candidate, chairman, president, head, or leader of a political party or political organization will be presumed to be part of the acts punishable.

Golez stated that a candidate or political party who will be found guilty will face 20 to 40 years of imprisonment, a fine of not less than Php 5 million, and disqualification from holding public office.

While the solicitor, leader of a political party, or political organization will face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of not less than Php 3 million, and disqualification from holding public office.

Those who are guilty of accepting money in exchange for his or her votes will be punishable by 1 to 6 years of imprisonment, a fine not less than Php 100,00, and disqualification from holding public office.

Golez also raised the issue of digital vote buying wherein it uses platforms like Gcash, a mobile virtual wallet, to send money.

“Importante na mapag-usapan ito ng Congress. Kailangan we have to adopt to our laws on this kasi marami silang convention na pwedeng mangyari,” he said.

But aside from the passage of the proposed bill, Golez emphasized that the function of the Commission on Election (Comelec) must be strengthened for them to be one step ahead in protecting the election.

He said the poll body should be given support by providing a sufficient budget and employing more staff that will oversee the process.

“Hindi tayo uusad kung hindi din natin susuportahan ang ating Comelec,” he asserted.