[This file photo shows the Commission on Elections headquarters in Manila. (Photo by=AJ Bolando/ Philstar)]

MANILA: The Commission on Elections on Wednesday urged the public to report vote-buying incidents to the poll body. Commissioner George Garcia said the Comelec will create a task force to probe vote-buying incidents. The poll body also ordered field personnel to investigate reports, PhilStar reported.

“Please file the necessary complaints so that at least we can study the evidence presented. We can require the respondent to answer the allegations thrown against them,” Garcia said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel. “We will be needing these reports not only to sanction field personnel… but at the same time, we’d like to strengthen the evidence that may be presented to us in the event a formal case will be filed or in the event Comelec conducts a motu proprio investigation,” he said.

The Comelec official stressed cases should not be based on news reports. “We should file cases based on concrete evidence as presented.” Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday handed out cash prizes to supporters attending a sortie of Uniteam bets, saying the campaign period for local bets has yet to start.