Comelec will wait first for a formal complaint to be filed before it acts on the reported distribution of cash gifts after the campaign rally of presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos in Nueva Ecija, one of its commissioners said Thursday.
Reportr sought Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia's confirmation on the poll body's action following calls to investigate the alleged election violation. Rappler and GMA News reported that envelopes containing P500 bills were distributed to attendees of a rally in Santa Rosa town last March 15.
Marcos' campaign team and his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, both said they did not know of the alleged cash-giving, according to Rappler.
The Omnibus Election Code prohibits any person from giving, offering, or promising money or anything of value to induce another person or the public in general to vote for or against a candidate.
Anyone found guilty of committing this election offense will be penalized with a jail sentence of up to six years, disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.
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