Six individuals were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly offering a guaranteed victory in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections in exchange for P30 million.
According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the suspects claimed to have direct connections with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), using these alleged links to lure political hopefuls.
One of the suspects even introduced himself as the nephew of a former government department secretary and a relative of a previous COMELEC chairman.
Authorities revealed that the group targeted a political candidate in Zambales, promising a sure win in the elections if the candidate agreed to pay the full amount. The suspects initially demanded a down payment of P15 million.
Unbeknownst to them, they were dealing with undercover operatives. The NBI conducted a sting operation on the evening of the payment and successfully apprehended all six suspects.
Director Santiago warned the public against engaging with individuals offering electoral manipulation, emphasizing that such schemes not only undermine democracy but also carry serious legal consequences.
The NBI is continuing its investigation to determine if more individuals or officials are involved in the election-fixing scheme.
Charges are expected to be filed as authorities examine potential violations of election and anti-corruption laws.
