NO THANKS: Don't Accept Money For Your Vote

6 54
Avatar for frdchckn
2 years ago

Every election, candidates and campaigns use a variety of strategies to persuade voters, some of which are perfectly legal, and others that aren't. While there's nothing illegal about offering free pizza or concert tickets to get people to vote, giving someone cash or another form of direct payment in exchange for their vote is against the law. It's called "vote buying."

Image from Bersus PH

The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world where vote buying is a common occurrence. It occurs most often during the campaign period, when candidates are desperate to be elected into office. Candidates will offer money, goods, or services in exchange for votes. The vote-buying process usually begins with the candidate approaching a voter and offering them some kind of incentive to vote for them. This incentive could be anything from cash, food items, or even alcohol. In addition to this, candidates may also promise voters jobs or other benefits if they win the election.

Vote buying has been around since the beginning of democracy but it has become more widespread in recent years due to lower levels of public awareness about this practice and increased poverty rates among Filipinos.  This practice is illegal and morally wrong. However, this happens a lot.

Vote buying is illegal in the Philippines according to Republic Act 9006 which was enacted on February 26th 2008. This law makes it a crime punishable by imprisonment from 2 months to 1 year and/or fines ranging from 500 pesos upwards depending on whether you are found guilty of vote buying.

There's a reason why Filipinos have this reputation for being 'easy to please' when it comes to elections. It's because we get caught up in empty political promises and the fear of change, which are the easiest traps to fall into. It's also a lot easier to play the sympathy game than it is to try and implement a solid plan for the country (and if you think a politician has your best interests at heart, chances are he or she has nothing).

Voters in the Philippines should be empowered to vote based on true beliefs rather than be swayed by illegal elections practices. In this way, we can make sure that people are electing their representatives fairly and with good intentions. Every election is super important. If you remember back to the past elections, it was really scary because some people were getting bribed by votes. So this time, let's be smart and prevent that from happening. Here are some ways to keep yourself from being bought out by votes:

  1. Make sure your vote actually counts! Don't just vote for the candidate who gave you food—vote for the one who will truly represent your interests and help you improve your life.

  2. Don't let anyone pressure you into voting for a particular candidate—you get to decide who you want to support!

  3. If someone offers you money or other items (like food) in exchange for voting a certain way, politely decline. This is illegal and could land them in hot water. It's also not fair if they're trying to buy votes from people who don't have enough resources of their own!

  4. Stay safe by going with friends or family members instead of visiting polling places alone. You'll be less vulnerable with someone else by your side!

  5. Encourage your friends and family to say no as well.

Always remember that you can't be forced to vote for a certain candidate, or someone shouldn't force you to vote for their candidate in order for you to receive something from them. You can't be bribed if you don't want to. Don't let yourselves be bought by votes!

Image from Unsplash.com

While I understand that this might seem tempting, I really encourage you to resist the urge to take the money. These politicians are trying to buy your vote because they know it's valuable, so don't sell yourself short! The politicians should be fighting for our votes—not bribing us for them.

This is the Philippines' election time, so it's going to be rampant with all kinds of political strategies to get people to vote. This time, have your game face on and stick to what you value most. That way, you can keep yourself from being swayed by fake promises and superficial values that politics in the Philippines offers everyone. Also remember that it's not enough not to fall for them. Spread the word of goodness into others and make this country a better place.

Every vote counts, everyone's voice matters, so understand what you're voting for and aim a little higher this time. Your vote has power! Go out there and use it wisely!


Lead image from Rappler
Copyright, 2022 frdchckn. All rights reserved.
Sponsors of frdchckn
empty
empty
empty

4
$ 0.59
$ 0.58 from @TheRandomRewarder
$ 0.01 from @Official98
Avatar for frdchckn
2 years ago

Comments

As a Filipino myself, I have been witnessing vote-buying here in my locality. To be honest, people took advantage to it by accepting money from those politicians as an exchange for a vote. The silly thing is, they will also accept the money from a politician who is an opponent of the other politician. Funny, right?

Those politicians who play dirty tactics deserve to be treated such way. Let's use that erroneous way into something useful, beneficial HAHA. I asked my parents once who happened to be a victim of vote buying, and, they said that they're just doing it for the sake of the money. They know who to choose in accordance to qualifications.

See? It's really up to the voter, haha.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

It's true; the government does provide a lot of money to people who vote for them. But then, you know, I think about it, and I wonder why the government isn't spending all that money on things like education or healthcare instead.

I don't mean to be cynical—it's just that… well, people who have less money to begin with are more likely to vote for someone who gives them money in exchange for their vote, right? So if the government were actually serving its citizens instead of just buying their votes, maybe those citizens wouldn't need as much help in the first place.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

I think our focus shouldn't be on the common people who take the opportunity to take the money by selling their votes. Our focus should be making these politicians who take advantage of the poor situation of our fellow citizens by using their power and resources. Maybe, the people are just getting what's rightfully theirs because it may actually came from our taxes lol

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Yes, the politicians are ultimately at fault, but I can't ignore the fact that our fellow citizens are also taking part in making this system work. I think it's important for us to remember that we're all human beings, and all humans make mistakes. That's not to say we shouldn't hold them accountable for those mistakes, but I think we should also do everything we can to help them see their way out of a situation that allows them to take advantage of this opportunity.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

We can't really blame our fellow citizens for taking the wrong path. Vote buying is part of a systemic problem. We are in a cycle of poverty and corruption which was said by a good public servant, as I remember. So the solution is not simple but still possible if we vote for the right people and we keep demanding good governance. I just hope that we'll be more sympathetic rather than vindictive to those people who have no choice but to sell their votes

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Thank you for your comment! I think you're on the right track with this. It's easy to feel like the people buying votes are doing something wrong, but we as a society have failed them. We really need to take it upon ourselves to elect officials who will actually do something about the poverty and corruption that makes people think their only option is to sell their vote. I hope we can all keep this in mind while we're at the polls next month!

$ 0.00
2 years ago