The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released Resolution No. 11104 to strengthen the fight against vote-buying, vote-selling, and the abuse of state resources (ASR) during the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections.
This new resolution empowers law enforcement to act faster and gives COMELEC’s special team, the Committee on Kontra-Bigay, more authority to monitor and stop illegal activities.
If you are a voter, candidate, public worker, or part of a political party, understanding these new rules is critical for ensuring clean, honest elections.
Purpose of COMELEC Resolution No. 11104
The main goal of this resolution is to stop election cheating at the source.
By cracking down hard on vote-buying and misuse of government assets, COMELEC hopes to protect the free will of voters and keep the elections fair.
This resolution also acts as a warning: anyone caught engaging in illegal election activities can now be arrested immediately—even without a warrant.
Scope and Coverage
COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 covers:
- All candidates and political parties running in the 2025 elections.
- Voters who may be tempted or pressured to sell their votes.
- Government officials and employees who might misuse government property or programs during the campaign season.
If you are preparing for election day, it is also helpful to review COMELEC Resolution No. 10999: What Voters and Candidates Must Know Now to better understand the wider election rules in place.
COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 PDF Download
You can access and download the full text of COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 through this official link.
Once you open the page, look for the file labeled with Resolution No. 11104, right-click, and select Download.
Saving a copy will help you review the rules and stay updated for the 2025 elections.
Key Rights and Protections Under the Resolution
This resolution gives strong protections to the voting public by:
- Empowering law enforcement to conduct warrantless arrests for caught-in-the-act vote-buying or vote-selling.
- Allowing immediate seizure of money, goods, and campaign materials linked to vote-buying.
- Enabling the Committee on Kontra-Bigay to take quick action against suspected offenders.
- Protecting state resources from being used for campaigns.
These protections aim to ensure that voters can make free choices without being bribed or influenced unfairly.
How Warrantless Arrests Will Work
Law enforcement officers can arrest individuals without a warrant if they personally witness:
- Vote-buying — offering or giving money, gifts, or promises in exchange for votes.
- Vote-selling — accepting or agreeing to accept money or gifts in exchange for votes.
- Misuse of government assets for campaigning.
For example, if a police officer catches someone handing out cash envelopes during a campaign rally, they can arrest the person immediately on the spot.
To learn more about how campaign periods are regulated, you might also want to read COMELEC Resolution No. 11056: Key Rules for the 2025 Elections.
What the Committee on Kontra-Bigay Can Do
The Committee on Kontra-Bigay is a special body created to focus solely on fighting vote-buying and vote-selling.
Their main powers include:
- Monitoring reports of suspicious activities during the campaign and election period.
- Investigating complaints and evidence quickly.
- Recommending cases for criminal charges to the proper authorities.
- Coordinating with law enforcement and field officials to make fast responses.
This committee is one of the new tools COMELEC is using to make sure the 2025 elections are clean, fair, and credible.
Immediate Seizure of Money, Goods, and Campaign Materials
Under Resolution No. 11104:
- Money, goods, or campaign materials used for vote-buying will be immediately taken by law enforcement.
- These seized items will be kept as evidence for building strong cases against violators.
- The fast seizure helps stop illegal activities before they spread.
This also sends a clear message: vote-buying will not be tolerated, and there are serious consequences for those who try.
Why These Measures Matter
Vote-buying and abuse of public resources damage the heart of democracy.
They:
- Undermine the true voice of voters.
- Give unfair advantages to candidates with more money or access to government resources.
- Create a culture of corruption that continues even after elections are over.
With stronger laws like COMELEC Resolution No. 11104, Filipinos can expect cleaner and fairer elections where every vote truly matters.
If you are concerned about election cheating, you can also check our guide on [How to Report Election Violations to COMELEC].
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is considered vote-buying under this resolution?
Offering, giving, or promising money, jobs, or benefits in exchange for votes. - Can a person be arrested without a warrant for vote-buying?
Yes, if law enforcers personally witness the illegal act. - What happens to the money or materials used in vote-buying?
They will be immediately confiscated and used as evidence. - How can I report vote-buying?
You can report it to COMELEC through their official website, field offices, or the Committee on Kontra-Bigay.
Conclusion
With the 2025 elections fast approaching, protecting the fairness of our democratic process is more important than ever.
COMELEC Resolution No. 11104 shows a strong commitment to ending vote-buying, vote-selling, and the misuse of state resources.
As voters, candidates, and citizens, we have the responsibility to stay informed, stay vigilant, and stand up for honest elections.
Together, we can build a better future—one clean election at a time.