Comelec and GCash Unite to Tackle Vote-Buying Ahead of 2025 Elections

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MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to curb vote-buying during elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has taken a proactive step by partnering with major e-wallets like GCash and Maya to impose transaction limits ahead of the 2025 midterm polls. This initiative, announced on April 1, is part of efforts to combat the evolving tactics of vote manipulation observed during recent elections.

Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda revealed that GCash has already implemented daily transaction caps, set to remain in place until May 12, 2025, with normal operations resuming the day after the elections. While it's unclear if other online financial services will follow suit, Maceda suggests that such measures might be introduced as Election Day approaches, given the spike in vote-buying activities closer to that period.

The decision follows investigations by Comelec, which identified a worrying trend where online transactions are leveraged for vote-buying. Evidence gathered through focus group discussions indicates organized efforts where a single phone number transfers identical amounts to multiple recipients, raising red flags with e-wallet providers.

Maceda noted that prior to the official start of the local election campaigns, Comelec had already logged 34 complaints related to electoral fraud, primarily involving vote-buying and selling, along with the misuse of state resources. Although these figures are lower than those of the 2022 national elections and the 2023 Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the threat remains significant.

Historically, the most reports of vote-related corruption have emanated from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon. This data may either indicate a higher incidence of such activities in these areas or a greater awareness and willingness among residents to report these violations.

To institutionalize the fight against electoral malpractices, Comelec has reinforced the 'Kontra Bigay' Committee, originally established as a task force in 2019. By giving it a permanent status, Comelec aims to fortify its long-term efforts to ensure fair and clean elections, adapting to the changing landscape of digital vote-buying, reported PhilStar.