By BIN Staff | 08:23 PM October 29, 2023
The election in the province of Bohol has given birth to new terms in the local dialect that are being heard and used only during the campaign period, but it refer to the same thing: vote-buying.
Called “kamang” (crawl) or “kamangon” (to crawl) where voters have to wait for their purok leaders for money on the eve of election day.
“Adtong sanggabii rako naghuwat kamangun, wala pa man muabot,” said Elena.
“Willing jud ko kamangon,” she added with a hearty laugh.
Some called it “uwan uwan” (rainshowers) or “wilwig” which loosely translates to “cash incentive,” and “inangayan” (share) that voters also openly received from candidates.
Despite warnings from authorities, vote-buying and vote-selling remain prevalent in the province.
In Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital of Bohol, cash ranging from P50 to P100 was being distributed by some candidates to voters.
The most hotly contested villages in the city, the vote-buying continued up to Sunday night involving at least P50 per voter given by candidates vying for seats in the barangay council and P300 to P500 for those seeking the village’s top post, according to various sources.
In another barangay, it’s P200 and P100 for village chiefs, while P50 for councilors. No one received P20.
The vote-buying also takes form in giving away mugs from SK candidates. These items come with handbills or campaign materials of the candidates and are left at doorsteps.
In many parts of Bohol, the money would usually range from P50 to P100, but could go up to P300 to P500 for each voter, depending on the town or city, the intensity of the rivalry and the candidates’ financial capacity.
One candidate for village councilor in Tagbilaran, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he did not want to engage in vote-buying but he had no choice but to join the usual practice during elections.
Another candidate in a barangay in Dauis said she would give money because there were 34 of them running and her chances of winning would be slim.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched a “Kontra Bigay” campaign to stop candidates from buying votes and people from selling theirs on Monday’s polls.
But not all are happy this election. In Jagna town, it is illegal to accept money from candidates.
Authorities have charged two candidates for vote buying.
Even during caucus, no snacks are given or else it would be an election offense.
According to Police Maj. Joseph Lopena, chief of the Jagna Police Station, police personnel responded to the report of the vote buying incident in the barangays.
