Corruption is, as Corruption Does

Fraud and corruption go hand-in-hand with Philippine elections. The corruption of candidates is often heard about; but what about the corruption of the voters who basically sell their votes?

LATimes:

Complaints of corruption, vote rigging and the killing of candidates and their supporters, rather than policy debates, have dominated the election campaign. The Supreme Court has designated 111 special courts across the country to handle the expected flood of fraud charges.

It is illegal under Philippine election law for political candidates to promise or give cash, materials or favors in exchange for votes. Yet alleged vote-buying is as common to campaigns here as shaking hands and kissing babies.

Opponents of Ernesto Aspillaga, who is seeking reelection to city council in Manila's financial district, say he broke the rules by handing out thousands of panties to female voters in the barrio of West Rembo. The women could choose from dozens of colors, but each pair had the candidate's name across the bottom.

Hmm....if this sort of voter-buying were allowed in the U.S., instead of campaign buttons, George Bush would have had a great gimmick with the panties and "name across the bottom" idea.