MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Friday it is organizing a multi-agency task force to investigate and act on reported vote buying ahead of the May 9 elections.

JUST IN: Comelec to form inter-agency task force called “KONTRA BIGAY” composed of NBI, DOJ, AFP, PNP, others to combat reported vote-buying on the ground.

“Immediate actions, moto proprio or based on formal complaints… is expected,” Comm. George Garcia says.

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Comelec commissioner George Garcia said the inter-agency team would include the Department of Justice, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

• Comelec to create task force against vote buying

"This will be called task force Kontra Bigay... Hopefully to be activated by the Comelec en banc and constituted by next week," he said.

Last week, Garcia said a Comelec task force would be created to address the reports of vote buying, some caught on video.

• No motu proprio action: Comelec 'to wait' for complainant on alleged cash distribution in Marcos sortie

With the expansion of the task force, Garcia said it may carry out investigations motu proprio or on its own without complainants.

"Because of this broad coordinative efforts, immediate actions, motu proprio or based on formal complaints, involving vote buying are expected. As we have said before, our commitment in eliminating this irregularity is unparalleled," he added.

• Comelec can file charges over Cavite 'vote-buying': lawyer

Under the Omnibus Election Code, giving, offering, or promising "money or anything of value... in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election" is prohibited.

• Ayuda or vote-buying? Comelec can use 'totality' rule

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