Philippine elections are a vital component of the country’s democratic process, held regularly to allow citizens to choose their leaders at various levels of government. National and local elections are conducted every three years, typically on the second Monday of May, with presidential elections held every six years.
The electoral system includes several types of elections: national elections for the president, vice president, senators, and party-list representatives; local elections for governors, mayors, and councilors; and barangay elections for grassroots leadership.
While these elections are meant to uphold the principles of democracy and public participation, they are often marred by systemic issues such as vote-buying and electoral fraud—challenges that continue to undermine the integrity of the democratic process in the country.
What is vote-buying and why is it rampant in the Philippines?
Vote-buying is a form of electoral corruption where candidates or their supporters offer money, goods, or services in exchange for a voter’s support. It is often disguised as “ayuda” (aid) or transportation assistance provided during the campaign period. Strategies vary, ranging from direct cash handouts to more subtle promises of future employment or government assistance. These transactions are usually informal, taking place in homes, remote communities, or during campaign rallies.
Some candidates also employ intermediaries known as leaders or coordinators who handle the logistics of distributing money and compiling lists of guaranteed votes.
During both local and national elections, vote-buying is a common and often expected practice in many areas. At the barangay level, where community ties are strong, candidates can more easily track voter behavior and offer more targeted incentives.
In national elections, large-scale operations involve bulk vote-buying, where leaders are paid to ensure that entire households or neighborhoods vote a certain way. Election day itself often sees a final round of payouts, known colloquially as last two minutes, when candidates make desperate offers to swing undecided voters. Other tactics include providing free food, bringing celeberities for free concerts, and handing out sample ballots already marked with the candidate’s name.
Several cultural and socio-economic factors contribute to the persistence of vote-buying in the Philippines. Widespread poverty makes voters more susceptible to immediate financial incentives, especially in rural areas where livelihoods are unstable.
The Filipino cultural value of utang na loob (debt of gratitude) also plays a role, as recipients of campaign gifts may feel morally obligated to return the favor at the ballot box. Moreover, weak enforcement of election laws and a sense of disillusionment with political reforms make many citizens believe their vote won’t matter unless it comes with a tangible benefit.
For instance, during the 2022 national elections, there were reports of voters receiving envelopes with paper bills along with pre-filled sample ballots.
In some barangay elections, food packs and mobile load were distributed days before election day, often with implicit instructions on whom to vote for. These incidents reflect how embedded vote-buying has become in the electoral culture of the country.
Election fraud techniques and tactics
Ballot manipulation involves altering the outcome of an election by tampering with the voting process or results, either physically or digitally.
In manual elections, this could include ballot switching, where pre-filled ballots are secretly inserted into the ballot box, or dagdag-bawas (vote padding and shaving), where votes for one candidate are added while another’s are reduced during the counting process.
In more recent automated elections, manipulation may occur in the transmission of election returns or the programming of vote-counting machines (VCMs). For example, in the 2016 elections, questions were raised about a “script change” in the transparency server, which led to a sudden shift in vote trends. Although COMELEC later dismissed it as a mere formatting change, the lack of transparency fueled doubts among the public and allegations of electoral fraud.
Voter intimidation and disenfranchisement are tactics used to suppress or influence voters through threats, harassment, or administrative barriers. In some areas, armed groups or political goons are deployed to scare voters away from polling stations or force them to vote for a particular candidate.
This is particularly common in election hotspots like parts of Mindanao, where political rivalries can turn violent. Disenfranchisement may also happen through “technical” means, such as missing names in voter lists, defective vote-counting machines, or long delays that prevent voters from casting their ballots. In the 2019 midterm elections, hundreds of VCMs and SD cards malfunctioned, leaving many voters unable to vote in time.
Some overseas Filipino voters also reported receiving ballots late or not at all, raising concerns about fairness and inclusivity in the electoral process.
Fake voter registrations and flying voters further distort the credibility of elections. Fake registrations often occur when candidates or their operators enlist individuals using false identities or those who are deceased or ineligible to vote.
Flying voters, on the other hand, are people who are registered in more than one location and are transported to different areas to vote multiple times. These activities are facilitated by loopholes in the voter registration system and weak verification protocols.
In past elections, media reports exposed incidents where voters were bussed in to vote in precincts where they did not reside, sometimes with assistance from local officials.
On the digital front, concerns have also been raised about hacking vulnerabilities in the automated election system. In 2022, there was a report of a data breach involving COMELEC servers, which allegedly exposed sensitive voter information.
Although the agency denied any impact on the integrity of the election results, the incident highlighted the risks of digital tampering and the urgent need for improved cybersecurity and transparency in handling electoral data.
Role of political dynasties and patronage politics
Political families, or dynasties, play a dominant role in Philippine politics, often using their wealth, name recall, and extensive networks to maintain power across generations.
These families hold elected positions simultaneously at the national and local levels, effectively creating strongholds where opposing candidates stand little chance.
For example, the Marcoses in Ilocos Norte, the Dutertes in Davao, and the Binays in Makati are well-known political dynasties that have remained in power for decades. Their overwhelming presence in elections makes it difficult for new or independent candidates to gain traction.
In many communities, voters are personally approached by candidates or their intermediaries and offered promises of help—such as covering hospital bills or school expenses. These gestures, though often illegal under election law, are seen as acts of kindness, making voters feel morally obligated to reciprocate with their votes.
The problem is that this system turns elections into a game of giving and receiving. Instead of focusing on good plans or real change, it becomes about who can give the most money or favors.
This makes it hard to tell if leaders are serving the people or just helping themselves. It also helps powerful families stay in control, and makes it harder for people to ask for real improvements or hold leaders accountable.
Vote-buying and election fraud have serious effects. When people think their leaders won unfairly, it makes them lose trust in the whole system. This weakens belief in institutions like the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the courts.
It can also make people feel like their votes don’t matter. When politicians win by spending money instead of offering good plans, it leads to the same problems over and over. They focus on rewarding supporters or getting back their campaign costs instead of fixing important issues like poverty, education, and healthcare.
The grim consequence of vote buying and election fraud
One of the biggest effects of vote-buying and election fraud is that it weakens the trust in elected leaders. When politicians win through cheating instead of real public support, people start to question if these leaders really represent their interests or if they just got into power through unfair means.
This loss of trust can cause public unrest and make it harder for leaders to do their jobs. In some cases, it can even lead to protests or legal battles, as seen in past Philippine elections where cheating accusations damaged the reputation of top officials.
Corruption in elections also leads to a loss of trust in important institutions like the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the courts, and the police. When these groups fail to stop cheating, people begin to believe that democracy is just a show or that it’s only for the rich and powerful.
This makes people lose interest in voting or politics, and they either don’t vote or just blindly support certain politicians. If there’s no justice for those who break the rules, it just makes things worse, encouraging more cheating in the future.
Corruption also leads to a lack of progress in solving real problems. Politicians who win through cheating often owe their success to those who funded their campaigns, not to the people.
Because of this, they use public money to reward their supporters instead of fixing important issues like healthcare, education, or jobs. This keeps poor communities stuck and unable to get out of poverty.
Politicians use vote-buying to stay in power, making people dependent on them rather than helping them become self-sufficient. This cycle of corruption keeps social services weak and prevents the country from moving forward.
What are the legal framework and challenges they face?
The Philippines has laws that are supposed to stop vote-buying and cheating during elections. These laws are written in the Omnibus Election Code, which says it’s illegal to give money, gifts, or promises to people just to get their vote.
Another law, the Republic Act 9369, was established to help protect our votes through automated elections using machines. This law helps make elections faster and more accurate, and it includes penalties for anyone who tries to tamper with the system. Even though these laws are clear, vote-buying and cheating still happen in many parts of the country.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is the government group in charge of making sure elections are fair and clean. They set the rules for campaigning, watch out for illegal activities like vote-buying, and can disqualify candidates who break the law. COMELEC works with the police and other groups to catch cheaters.
But sometimes, they don’t have enough people, time, or resources to investigate every complaint. That’s why many cases of cheating are not punished, and some powerful candidates manage to get away with it.
One big problem is the lack of strict enforcement and follow-through. Even when people clearly break the rules, very few are actually sent to jail or removed from office. This sends a message that it’s okay to cheat as long as culprits don’t get caught.
Vote-buying and election cheating are serious issues that harm Philippine democracy. When politicians win by offering money or favors instead of presenting real plans and solutions, it is the people who ultimately suffer.
These practices result in bad leadership, poor services, and a government that favors a select few rather than serving everyone. Despite laws like the Omnibus Election Code and automated voting systems designed to protect the integrity of elections, many cheaters still escape justice due to weak enforcement of these rules. This erosion of public trust discourages honest candidates and keeps communities trapped in poverty.
However, change is possible—and it starts with the people. Citizens must reject vote-buying, report suspicious activities, and support candidates with clear platforms and honest records. Young people, in particular, hold the power to shape the future by becoming informed voters and encouraging others to do the same.
If more people stand up for fair and honest elections, the cycle of corruption can be broken, paving the way for a government that truly listens to and works for the people. Protecting the integrity of the vote is essential because the future of the Philippines depends on it.