BY MICHAELA BARTIANA
WE EXPECT gifts during holidays, but nothing compares to the “gifts” of election season. Elections meant to choose leaders for progress have become a marketplace for vote transactions. We have grown accustomed to candidates handing out cash stapled on campaign flyers in “sobre” and often distributed discreetly at night. This practice repeats in every election—so common that it has become an open secret. It is a paradox in which its illegality requires secrecy, yet its prevalence is undeniably present.
This vote-buying practice is common in local elections and likely even worse nationally. Whether we deny it or not, we have tolerated this practice for so long that it no longer bothers us. In fact, we are more excited about it, replacing our concerns about governance. We usually ask, “Pila imohang nadawat?” The justification? “Basta nakadawat ‘ta” keeps us trapped in a cycle of corruption. What was once supposed to be an anomaly is now the very norm in every election.
The effect of vote-buying distorts the purpose of suffrage, allowing unqualified people to assume power. A 2024 study by Graham Naz and Bryan Fruto in the Recoletos Multidisciplinary Research Journal found that impoverished and rural communities are more vulnerable to such tactics due to economic hardship. It is concerning, given that the Social Weather Stations survey in December 2024 shows that 63% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor.
This could enable one to perceive vote-buying as immediate patronage, but this relief perpetuates poverty and dependency. It allows corrupt politicians to exploit this vulnerability and might deliberately avoid implementing long-term solutions, as dependent and deprived people are easier to control and manipulate with money.
Nevertheless, many justify vote-buying by claiming politicians will steal anyway, so it’s better to take what is offered. Others may argue that accepting money does not mean voting for the candidate who gave it. They justify that they can still vote for whoever they want.
Yet, we overlooked that this strengthens a system where politicians see elections as investments. When voters demonstrate a willingness to receive these funds, politicians are encouraged to continue this, confident that they can recover and surpass their campaign spending once elected. So, we only fool ourselves if we believe we’ve outsmarted them by accepting their money.
Isn’t it fishy that they spend way more on their campaigns than they’ll ever make in their actual salary? What could they possibly gain from office that far outweighs the costs of their campaigns? Thus, as long as we accept the cash, it legitimizes corruption regardless of whom we vote for.
As we approach the May 2025 elections, let’s commit to rejecting their offers and, if possible, report these instances to the relevant authorities with evidence, such as the Commission on Elections. Moreover, we must demand concrete policy proposals from our candidates because we deserve leaders with well-defined plans, not empty promises. Let’s support organizations dedicated to educating and empowering people about electoral integrity and genuine, informed voting knowledge.
We can fix this disarray by teaching others how vote-buying defeats everything. Our one vote may seem small, but millions of wise votes create positive change. Good governance comes from responsible choices, which begin with us and by doing this together.
So, ask yourself before selling your vote: Are you truly prepared to live with the consequences of your choice? Can you honestly complain about a corrupt system that you helped create?”
—————————————————————————————
Michaela Bartiana, a third-year Political Science student at the University of Cebu-Main Campus. The piece is part of their subject, Introduction to Journalism.
