Elections are a sacred process, not to be taken for granted, Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez said on Saturday, April 5.
Benitez said he found a post encouraging betting on the outcome of the election.
Benitez warned that according to the Omnibus Election Code (Sec. 261(c)), election betting is an election offense.
It carries appropriate penalties (Sec. 264) including imprisonment, disqualification from government service, and loss of the right to vote. And prosecution can still be done within five years (Sec. 267), Benitez said.
“It is a time of choice, not of pride prevailing. Respect is needed for a better country,” he said.*