Manila, May 10 -- Heightened checkpoints in various areas in Western Visayas are expected effective Saturday with the implementation of the three-day "money ban."

"For the first time, the commission will implement the so-called money ban. It is already prohibited to be in possession of money more than PHP500,000 together with campaign materials. That would already be considered for purposes of vote buying," Commission on Elections (Comelec) Regional Election Director Lawyer Dennis Ausan said in an interview Friday afternoon.

Exempted from the ban are those whose nature of job pertains to the possession of huge amounts of money, such as a cashier or treasurer. However, they have to show proof of their job.

"Expect that in the next days...