Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate reports of rampant vote buying in her district, with alleged payments reaching as high as ₱3,000 per vote.
In a letter dated April 29 addressed to Comelec Chair George Garcia and PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, the congresswoman said the alleged scheme is particularly concentrated in the towns of Rosales, Balungao, and Asingan. She linked the activity to a certain Gilbert Estrella.
Primicias-Agabas emphasized that both agencies are “in the best position” to initiate an investigation using their intelligence resources.
She added that many locals are hesitant to file formal complaints out of fear, urging the authorities to take proactive steps. “I write this letter to urgently request your good office to investigate… and adopt appropriate measures to prevent its continuance including the filing of corresponding charges against the owners of the houses, compound, or premises used as vote buying centers,” she said.
The lawmaker hopes swift action will help ensure a fair and credible electoral process in the region.
