Elections are supposed to be a time of hope—a chance for citizens to choose leaders who will bring genuine change. But in the Bicol Region, that hope is increasingly clouded by the persistent and deep-rooted issue of vote buying. Recent reports reveal that Catanduanes has emerged as the top province in the region in terms of vote buying complaints, highlighting a disturbing culture of electoral manipulation.
In many parts of Catanduanes, it’s become almost customary for voters to stay up all night not out of civic duty, but in anticipation of the long-awaited “mola” or cash. As prices of basic goods continue to rise, some voters are tempted to trade their principles for money, seeing it as an immediate—though temporary—relief from hardship. This practice, while illegal and unethical, thrives on desperation and a lack of accountability.
While the initiative of the COMELEC Regional Office V, including the introduction of QR codes to streamline the filing of complaints, is commendable, it is clearly not enough. What we need now are concrete and stringent measures to proactively prevent vote buying before it even happens. Prevention, after all, is always better than cure.
This is where the Philippine National Police (PNP) must step in more aggressively. As the deputized arm of the COMELEC, the PNP must not wait for complaints to pour in—they must act. Surveillance, surprise checkpoints, and coordinated operations must be intensified, particularly in known hotspots. Public confidence in the system grows only when they see that the law is applied equally and swiftly.
But beyond enforcement, there is the bigger challenge of changing the mindset of the Filipino voter. So long as people are willing to sell their vote, there will always be politicians eager to buy it. This vicious cycle will continue to erode our democratic values unless we, the electorate, collectively decide to end it.
We must remember: a vote is not a commodity. It is a sacred right, a voice in shaping the future. Choosing a leader should never be reduced to who handed out the biggest envelope. Instead, let qualifications, integrity, and vision for the country be our basis for judgment.
There are many candidates out there who may not have the machinery or the money, but who possess the genuine desire to serve and uplift their communities. Sadly, these candidates are often buried under the weight of the corrupt system. If we truly want change, we must choose to rise above the temptation.
Catanduanes, as the topnotcher in vote-buying cases, must lead the way in changing the narrative. Let this be the last time the island is associated with such a disgraceful record. Let it become the first province to break free from the chains of transactional politics.
Only when we stop selling our votes can we start reclaiming our future.
