• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez warned against those engaging in gambling on the results of the May 12 elections, stressing that such illegal acts are punishable under existing laws of the country.
Benitez, a congressional aspirant for the Negros Occidental 3rd district, in his social media account, stressed “elections are a sacred process and should not be a subject of betting.”
This was after he saw a post on social media challenging anyone to place a bet on who is going to win in the May 12 elections.
Under the Omnibus Election Code (Sec. 261(c)), Benitez said betting in an election is considered an election offense. Among the penalties under the law is imprisonment, disqualification and the suspension of one’s right to vote, he said adding that charges can be filed within five years.
He, however, refused to name the candidate involved.
“During the time to choose our candidates, there should be no pride. Instead, there should be respect for the good of the country,” he pointed out.*
