Comelec warns against betting on election winners

The public is disallowed from betting on who they think will win in the May 2010 polls because it is unlawful, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. Article 12 Section 261(c) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits "any person who bets or wagers upon the outcome of, or any contingency connected with an election," Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento in an interview with reporters said. "Sa ngayon bawal yan, ang kanilang ipupusta (As of now that is prohibited and your bet or winnings) will be forfeited in favor of the government," he said. Betting on the outcome of the election constitutes an election offense which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office, he added. However, Sarmiento said that the Comelec has yet to punish anyone for such an act. "Walang complainant so wala pang napaparusahan (Nobody complains so nobody is punished)," he said. The commissioner, for his part, just reminded the public to abstain from betting on the elections. "Sa mga mahilig sa pustahan, yung mahilig sa betting, lalung-lalo na sa ating kababayan mahilig sa sugal, ang reminder po ng Comelec ay wag po kayong magsugal," he said. (For those who like to bet, those who like to wager, especially those who like to gamble, the Comelec is reminding you to abstain from such activities.) - GMANews.TV