There were numerous reports of vote buying ranging from P1, 500 to P2,000 in Bacolod City on the eve of Election Day on Monday, May 9.
The Commission on Elections received anonymous complaints of vote buying but when policemen were sent to the areas where they were supposed to be happening they turned out to be negative, Bacolod Elections Officer Revo Sorbito said Sunday.
Complaints of vote buying need to be backed by evidence for the Comelec to take legal action against those responsible, he said.
In Hinigaran, Mayor Nadie Arceo issued an executive order on Friday , May 6, declaring curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in his town.
He pointed out that the houses of kagawads Marciano Dizon and Jose Froilan Yap of Barangay 1 were ransacked by 12 armed men on May 4.
Initial reports said the armed men were looking for election money.
There is an urgent need to secure lives and maintain peace to safeguard the right of Hinigaran residents to vote on Monday, Arceo said in his EO.
The Comelec has, however, instructed local officials to ensure that the curfew does not hamper movement of poll personnel.
There were also unconfirmed reports of blockades being set up on private properties in Isabela, Pulupandan and Escalante City that could hamper voting, an official who asked not to be identified said.*