Odiongan Mayor Trina Fabic would like voters to know that the decision who to choose on the ballot rests only with them and them alone.
In a Facebook post, Fabic reminded voters that they could not be obligated or intimidated into voting for a candidate even if they had been given money for this.
They did not sign any contract, she said.
Vote buying is also a crime, she added.
If they are being harassed, they should report the matter to police, she said.
There is no way for anybody else to know who they voted for, since they are prohibited from showing their ballots to poll watchers or to anybody else, she said.
The mayor said she received information that there are those who have shelled out big money for vote buying, and had set aside P60 million for Odiongan alone.
She warned voters that these candidates would be sure to recoup these amounts.
Think before you vote!
“Hindi nila kayo pwedeng obligahin o takutin na bumoto para sa kanila kung nabigyan nila kayo ng pera. Walang kontratang pinirmahan, at walang obligasyon na sumunod sa kanila. Ang pagbili ng boto ay krimen at ilegal. Kapag ginipit ka nila, isumbong sa amin o sa pulis.
Karapatan ng bawat mamamayan ang bumoto sa kung sino ang gusto nila. Huwag magpabili, huwag matakot. Hindi malalaman kung kanino ka bumoto. Bawal ipakita ang balota sa watcher or sa ibang tao. Bawal picturan ang balota mo.
Naaawa ako sa Odiongan at sa Romblon kung mananalo ang mga nagpapanagtag ng katakot-takot na pera. May nagsabi na ang budget palang nila para sa Odiongan ay 60M pesos. Ganon sila kahayok sa kapangyarihan. Matagal-tagal bago nila mabawi ang perang ito, pero siguradong babawiin. Gigisain tayo sa sarili nating mantika.
Mag isip-isip po tayo ng mabuti,” Fabic posted.