Manila, May 8 -- Over 400 complaints of vote buying and abuse of state resources (ASR) have been reported ahead of the May 12 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported on Thursday.

According to Comelec-Committee on Kontra-Bigay chairperson Commissioner Ernesto Maceda, a total of 439 vote buying and ASR complaints have been filed with the poll body as of May 8.

Of the number, 268 were about vote buying, 130 were about ASR, and 41 about both vote buying and ASR.

Maceda said the most common types of vote buying reported were money distribution, cash assistance, and giving anything of value.

On the other hand, ASR acts were in the form of "ayuda" or social welfare assistance, he said.

"We are already approaching 4...