ZEALOUS MAGAZINE | Vote-Buying: Democracy in Exchange

ZEALOUS MAGAZINE

December 2021

ZEALOUS MAGAZINE

VOTE-BUYING: DEMOCRACY IN EXCHANGE

December 9, 2021

By: Michelia Julienne Baduria & Jacques Zacharie Thaddeus Ponce

D

emocracy is often the distinguishing feature of a sovereign nation, wherein its government is ruled of, by, and for the people. Elections serve as the stabilizer in these free and fair principles, acting as the repeatable procedures in selecting candidates for political institutions (Protect Democracy). In this process, politicians compete for votes, as they are tasked with convincing their constituents why they are the best people to lead. However, how these politicians persuade voters to vote for them is not always aligned to and often undermines the electoral process of choosing leaders without any external influences (Borges 10).

It has become prevalent to see candidates and politicians practice prohibited and strategic methods to unhinge the values a democracy aims to protect while forcibly shifting power in their direction (Ardianto).

Among these obstructive acts is vote-buying, especially pervasive in the Philippines (Ilas; Cruz 383). When an election is approaching, politicians typically provide monetary or material gifts to registered voters through brokers gifts to registered voters through brokers (Frye et al. 711). Article 22 of the Philippine Omnibus Election Code (OEC) defines and prohibits

this form of vote-buying as "giving, offering, or promising money, favors, or jobs in exchange for getting a person's vote for the candidate or causing the person to vote against somebody else" (Ku and Tan; Ilagan). Vote-buying, as mentioned, is simply illegal and a crime punishable by law. However, it remains one of the most misunderstood and unregulated offenses that is often the most committed, therefore exceedingly destructive to the entire model of democratic politics (Marañon).

Vote-buying continues to adversely impact Filipino's rights to an authentic democracy and a fair election and must be solved through stricter campaign regulations, ingrained political education, and collective societal movement against this unjust exchange.

Dealing with vote-buying in the Philippines starts with recognizing its effects and how the illegal practice has become deeply rooted in the election system. In nature and practice, vote-buying obstructs the fundamental right to vote freely without direct influence, as voters now consider the factor of having, if not forced, to reciprocate the help they received (Keefer and Vlaicu 3; Canare et al. 61). The election, then, starts to perpetuate corruption throughout the entire political system, where candidates with the

throughout the entire political system, where candidates with the deepest pockets that participate in these corruptive acts are given power—discouraging those most competent and representative of the people to run (Ponce; Young African Leaders Initiative). The legitimacy and trust in the elections also deteriorate with vote-buying, enabling poor governance and allowing candidates just to pay off their voters, leaving no incentive to respond to constituents' important issues (Young African Leaders Initiative). Although both voters and candidates know that vote-buying is wrong, critical and ingrained factors make it so prevalent (Gregorio and CNN Philippines; National Democratic Institute).

One of the leading yet straightforward causes of votebuying lies in the Philippines' socioeconomic state (Ilas). In an interview with Jean Alphonse D. Ponce, a Provincial Board Member and Aspiring Vice-Governor in the Government of Cagayan, he mentioned how millions of Filipinos struggle in poverty while the elections become a high tide of giving out free cash. Thus, the majority are unable to resist or are coerced into accepting the money, eventually selling their vote in exchange (Ilas; Ponce).

exchange (Ilas; Ponce).

Ponce also mentioned his dissent on the tolerance this issue forms.

Most Filipinos have accepted that vote-buying is common and cannot be entirely prevented; thus, it is deemed acceptable even if the practice is illegal (Hicken 2; Ponce).

The country's leaders and aspiring candidates, those expected to uphold the protection of voters, have instead been seen to tolerate and participate in the problem of votebuying (Subingsubing and Florida).

Ponce states: The Comelec is not a law enforcement agency; therefore, it does not enforce its rules, as the government and judiciary courts do. However, if, from the start, these candidates are highly intertwined with the government, if not incumbents already, legal action against these violations are costly and difficult to prove, and...the act is nationally accepted,...the prohibition of the Comelec means almost nothing.

Evidence supports these claims showing how current prosecution processes against vote-buying are highly challenged, with the time, money, and proofs for legal action being difficult to gather and the addition of the fear voters have in reporting such cases (Ilas; Gregorio and CNN Philippines). With these adverse causes and effects, vote-

and CNN Philippines). With these adverse causes and effects, votebuying becomes a growing vicious cycle catalyzed by tolerance, the leaders elected through this corruption, and the poverty and injustice that prevails after the election.

Nonetheless, the call for counteracting steps of change also continues to grow, especially with the upcoming 2022 elections. One of the first lines of straightforward yet deliberate actions immensely needed would be from the government (Ardianto).

They firsthand hold the power that could significantly impact citizens against vote-buying by formulating and enforcing stricter laws and punishing those guilty of the act (Ojoye).

Vice-President, now presidential candidate, Leni Robredo stated that this issue prevails because of the poor enforcement of laws and almost no prosecution of those guilty (Subingsubing and Florida). Most cases are given attention after elections which, by then, are dismissed (Marañon; Ponce). Thus, in solving the issue and causes that perpetuate vote-buying, the act must be met with stricter laws and a judicial system that actively recognizes and persecutes it (Ponce).

Beyond these, solutions also require cooperation and actions from the general public (Marañon).

Studies and reports show that the target of vote-buyers are those willing to reciprocate the act and sell their vote, often from poor and rural communities (Canare et al. 61).

Consequently, combatting this reality requires firmer political groundings and protection to those vulnerable, ensuring citizens can be uninfluenced by vote-buying (Ardianto).

Their active civic engagement and stance need to be supported with proper awareness of the realities of vote-buying through political education (Ardianto). Most importantly, in the upcoming 2022 elections, there will be a stronger urgency for zero-tolerance actions and people's choice to vote according to their conscience (Ponce).

Studies show that promoting these solutions of voter awareness and collective action have been more effective in eradicating vote-buying than promoting the acceptance of money while voting according to their conscience (Canare et al. 62).

Thus, complete rejection of the act is simply nonnegotiable, with an active dedication to reporting such cases.

It becomes evident, though, that the solution is beyond being aware and cooperating with the laws, with the issue being more complex than

the laws, with the issue being more complex than perceived. Votebuying has been an integral norm and a never-ending cycle in Filipino socio-political systems due to unresolved pre-existing issues, including poverty, lack of education, and corruption (Ponce; Ardianto).

Thus, solving vote-buying is more than a challenging endeavor; it is almost impossible. The issue, again, is fueled with supposed leaders tolerating vote-buying, ingrained socio-economic concerns being neglected, slow progress in judicial courts, and the general public normalizing the crime (Ardianto).

Ponce admits and summarizes this reality, saying, "[vote-buying] cannot be completely eliminated, for as long as there are politicians who are willing to buy, and there are voters who are willing to sell their votes."

Although these points are valid, they only strengthen the argued need for grass-root and multifaceted solutions, with the steps presented acknowledging the issue's complexity (Ponce). Providing people with access to political education and making them aware of the realities allows the embedded causes and the lack of education, which is also a result of poverty, to be targeted (Ardianto; Canare et al.

64).

Through these, together with stricter laws and implementation, robust stands against vote-buying can be developed, resulting in fairer elections wherein Filipinos are able to choose leaders who are competent to resolve these underlying issues that catalyze votebuying (Ardianto; Marañon).

As Ponce says, "vote-buying is just part of the smaller picture when it comes to the flaws of our country."

Indeed, these solutions are only the beginning when tackling pervasive and deeply-rooted issues like votebuying. It will undoubtedly be a long way for this entrenched issue to be eliminated in Philippine democracy entirely, and, again, there is much to be done. "We need more research, we need more groundwork, and we need more support against votebuying," Ponce concludes.

Nevertheless, starting will always be the first and most effective step.

buying, catalyzed by more complex problems yet to be solved. As long as any member of society, from voters, candidates, and government officials, continue to perpetuate the act and engagement of votebuying, the state of the country's invaluable future will continue to depend on simple purchases of money. However, with stricter regulations, proper awareness with voter education, and collective action resisting these forms of corruption, there is still hope in breaking this continual exchange for democracy.

In the end, though, one thing is certain. As 19th-century French philosopher Joseph de Maistre said, "Every nation gets the government it deserves" (Marañon). The choice on whether this government will be of, for, and by the people will always ultimately be for voters to decide.

Authors:

All these being said, it becomes clear that both politicians and Filipino citizens have contributed to the endless cycle of vote-buying, catalyzed by more complex problems yet to be solved. As long as any member of society, from voters, candidates, and government officials, continue to perpetuate the act and engagement of votebuying, the state of the country's

Michelia Julienne Baduria Jacques Zacharie Thaddeus Ponce

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