In every election season, one illegal practice resurfaces despite clear laws and repeated warnings: vote buying and vote selling.
These practices not only threaten the integrity of elections but also weaken democracy by placing personal gain over the will of the people. To combat this, Philippine law—particularly the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881)—clearly defines and penalizes vote-buying and selling.
Learn what counts as vote-buying or vote-selling, what the law says about these, and the penalties that violators may face.
What Is Vote Buying?
According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), vote-buying is the act of giving, offering, or promising any of the following in exchange for a vote:
- Money or anything of value
- A job, position, or government appointment
- A franchise, reward, or personal favor
- Direct or indirect payment of expenses
- Any benefit from a person, group, company, or government body
This may be done to:
- Persuade someone to vote for a specific candidate
- Convince someone to vote against a specific candidate
- Influence someone to not vote at all
Simply put: If someone offers you cash, goods, or favors to vote a certain way—it’s vote-buying.
What Is Vote Selling?
Vote-selling, on the other hand, happens when a voter agrees to accept the offer.
It is the act of asking for or receiving:
- Money
- Gifts
- A job or position
- Any kind of personal or public reward
…in exchange for voting for or against a candidate, or withholding your vote altogether.
This applies whether the benefit is given directly or through someone else. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-time gift or a promised future favor—if your vote is being bought, it’s illegal.
Where Does Vote Buying Usually Happen?
Vote buying in the Philippines often happens:
- During campaign periods, sometimes disguised as assistance or aid
- Near voting precincts, especially on the night before or early morning of election day
- Through local coordinators, sometimes handing out “allowance” or envelopes
- In exchange for joining motorcades, rallies, or house-to-house campaigns
While often done in secret, vote-buying leaves behind patterns. If you see long lines at a certain house, coordinated groups receiving envelopes, or “payouts” disguised as giveaways, there’s a high chance something illegal is happening.
Why Is It a Problem?
Vote buying undermines the right to free and fair elections. It:
- Discredits honest candidates who choose not to play dirty
- Reduces voter power to a price tag instead of informed choice
- Increases corruption, as officials “recover” what they spent through illegal means
- Strengthens political dynasties that use money instead of merit to win
In short, vote buying turns public service into a business transaction—and the voters always lose.
What the Law Says
Under the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Blg. 881), vote-buying and vote-selling are both considered criminal election offenses.
They are punishable under Section 261, which covers prohibited acts during elections.
Both vote-buyers and vote-sellers can be charged—there’s no protection just because you’re the recipient. Even the promise of money or benefit, without the act being completed, is already a violation.
What Are the Penalties?
If found guilty of vote-buying or selling, the offender may face:
- Imprisonment of 1 to 6 years
- Disqualification from holding public office
- Loss of voting rights
And importantly:
- No probation is allowed for election offenses—meaning jail time is mandatory if convicted.
These penalties are serious, and yet many still take the risk, often betting that they won’t get caught.
Can You Report Vote Buying?
Yes—and you should.
If you witness or experience vote buying, you can report it to:
- COMELEC Law Department or local COMELEC field offices
- Election watchdogs like VoteReportPH or Kontra Daya
- Citizens’ arms like PPCRV or NAMFREL
Your report should include:
- Time and location of the incident
- A clear description of what happened
- Names or photos/videos of people involved
- Proof, if possible (screenshots, text messages, video clips)
Learn more in our guide: What to Do If You Witness or Experience Election Violations.
What If You’re Offered Money?
Here’s what you can do if someone offers you money or gifts in exchange for your vote:
- Say no. Politely reject the offer.
- Document the incident. Take notes, photos, or record the situation if it’s safe.
- Report the person or group to COMELEC or a watchdog group.
- Warn your community—many voters don’t know it’s a crime.
Even if you accept the money but vote differently, the act of accepting already qualifies as vote-selling. It’s not worth the risk.
How to Protect Your Vote
Protecting your vote starts with saying no to illegal offers. But you can also:
- Educate others—especially first-time or low-income voters
- Support clean campaigns—vote for candidates who play fair
- Get involved in local voter education or volunteer for watchdog groups
- Report election violations when you see them
When more people speak up, vote buying becomes harder to pull off.
Conclusion
Vote buying and vote selling may seem like “normal” election season habits—but they are serious crimes that harm the country.
COMELEC, the law, and watchdogs are working to end these illegal practices—but they need the public’s help. If we want clean elections, it starts by refusing to let our vote be bought.
Your vote is your voice.
Don’t sell it. Don’t silence it. Protect it.