‘Ditch prematurely campaigning bets’

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is asking voters not to vote for candidates in the May 2019 midterm elections who engage in premature campaigning.

“We are asking voters not to vote for these candidates,” LENTE Executive Director Atty. Rona Caritos said.

These candidates, she said, are taking advantage of a loophole in the law.

"These candidates are taking advantage of that loophole. You can just see that attitude of taking advantage of the loopholes. You’ll know how they will react when they are in office,” said Caritos.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez earlier lamented how nearly all candidates, especially those running for national posts, are now engaging in premature campaigning.

"Nearly all major senatorial candidates openly campaigning now - taking full advantage of the premature campaigning loophole,” he said.

But Jimenez admitted that they cannot do anything to stop would be candidates from engaging in premature campaigning.

“We cannot stop them from engaging in premature campaigning but we are appealing to their delicadeza,” he said.

Based on Republic Act No. 9369 “any person who files his Certificate of Candidacy shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period”.

The Campaign Period for those running for national posts is from February 12, 2019 to May 11, 2019.

For local positions, the campaign period is from March 29, 2019 to May 11, 2019.