Namfrel urges Comelec to name candidates who violated campaign rules

The National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to help inform the voting public by naming the candidates in the May 13 midterm polls who violated campaign rules.

"I think the public should know who are these candidates and the details of their violations for them to know who the violators are and their violations,” Namfrel Secretary General Eric Alvia said.

"The public also wants to see the resolve of the Comelec in enforcing these rules and regulations,” he added.

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) also issued the same call.

“Comelec should announce such to inform voters who are these 'pasaway' or erring candidates,” Lente Executive Director Atty. Rona Caritos said.

Earlier, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they are not likely to release the names of the persons they have filed action against until it is proper to do so.

“Since we are still in the early stages, we can’t release their names. We will release this information at the proper time,” he said.

Asked as to how many were already sent notices, Jimenez could not say yet but assured that they are taking action against illegal campaign materials of Senate bets and party-list groups.

“This is happening all over the country and we don’t have a central registry at this time. But every election officer is doing his own thing,” he said.

It was last month when the poll body started monitoring the illegal campaign materials of senators and party-list groups running in the May 13 midterm polls following the start of the campaign period for national candidates.

The campaign period for national candidates started February 12 and will end on May 11.

Last month, the Comelec, together with other government agencies also conducted a massive “Operation Baklas” in the metropolis by removing illegal campaign materials of candidates.

Bong Go

There is nothing wrong with former Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go accompanying President Rodrigo Duterte wherever he goes even as the May mid-term elections draw near.

"Walang problema doon for as long as he is not using government fund. Ang pagsama nya that is his personal relationship with the President (There is no problem for as long as he is not using government funds. Being with the President is part of his personal relationship with him)," said Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sheriff Abas.

Go had previously addressed the issue, saying he has made a promise to President Duterte to attend to him

at all times.

"Kung sunod man ako nang sunod, ito ay dahil sa pangako ko sa kanya, sa pamilya niya, at sa lahat ng nagmamahal sa kanya. Hindi ito kawalan sa gobyerno dahil ginagawa ko ito sa personal ko na kapasidad. Walang pera ng gobyerno na nasayang at walang drug money na ginamit (I am following him because this is a promise – to him, to his family, and to all those who love him. The government is not losing anything because I am doing this in my personal capacity. No government fund is wasted, and no drug money is used)," Go said.

Go also reiterated that he has friends who support his campaign.

“Marami akong mga kaibigan na naniniwala sa aking ipinaglalaban at tumutulong sa akin na maghatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nabiktima ng sunog at iba pang uri ng trahedya (I have many friends who believe in what I am fighting for and help me in serving people who are victims of fire and other calamities),” he said.

Meanwhile, Abas said it is difficult to organize an official debate since there are 62 candidates vying for a seat in the Senate.

"Compared to the presidential race

where only six competed, it is much harder with the mid-term elections since there are 62 of them," the Comelec chief said, noting that the senatorial debates set up by private networks and other parties are not official.

"Ang ibang kandidato, ang strategy nila ay through debate, depende sa diskarte ng bawat grupo (Other candidates use debates as their strategy, it depends on their plan)," Abas added. (With PNA)