Comelec to candidates: Follow campaign rules

Local campaign period starts today

As the campaign period for local races kicks off today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is reminding candidates that they must comply with campaign regulations or face sanctions.

The Comelec yesterday told candidates to avoid irritating the public by creating too much noise in trying to get voters’ attention, noting that local bets tend to make their campaign sorties “festive.”

On Tuesday, the Comelec gave candidates 24 hours to take down all illegally posted campaign materials or face the consequences.

“We sent notices to remove materials that have already been posted because at the start of the election period those campaign materials will become illegal,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

Campaign ads are prohibited in publicly owned LED or LCD screens along highways and streets or on walls of public buildings and other similar devices owned by the national or local government.

They also cannot be posted on patrol cars, ambulances or other motor vehicles owned by the national or local government; public transport vehicles owned and controlled by government, such as the

trains and their stations; waiting sheds, sidewalks, street/ lamp posts, electric posts/ wires, traffic signs, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers, bridges, main roads and center islands.

Other areas included in the prohibition are schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers and other public structures; and those within the premises of public transport terminals owned and controlled by government.

The Comelec said campaign materials must be placed in designated common poster areas only.

Jimenez said many candidates use campaign posters to limit their spending. “It is cheaper... and has high retention because it is constantly seen,” Jimenez explained.

Jimenez also said ads should be limited to 60 and 90 minutes per television and radio station, respectively.

Each candidate belonging to a political party is allowed to spend only P3 per registered voter, while independent bets as well as political parties and party-list groups can spend P5 per voter.

Candidates for members of the House of Representatives, as well as elective provincial, city and municipal officials have until May 11 to campaign.

Avoid disturbing people

Jimenez said “it will surely be more festive and it is about to get noisier” as the campaign period for local candidates starts.

“That’s a certainty,” Jimenez said, noting that local candidates are expected to hire bands and use loud sound systems to promote themselves.

“The bands and sound system are more expensive kinds (of campaigning) so they will really withhold it until the actual campaign period... these have massive impact but short retention,” he added.

Jimenez further urged candidates to keep the campaign literally clean by not leaving trash such as plastic bottles and styrofoam food containers whenever they hold political rallies.

He also called on candidates to keep their campaign peaceful and avoid holding sorties until early morning, which is a common source of irritation for communities nationwide.

“It is incredibly inconsiderate. We would ask the candidates themselves to take the initiative to campaign considerately,” Jimenez said.

Police visibility

National Capital Regional Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said at least 14,000 policemen will be deployed in Metro Manila to secure the campaign sorties of local candidates.

Eleazar said he ordered his five police district directors to intensify police operations against private armed groups, criminal gangs, wanted persons, gun for hire groups and loose firearms so the May elections will be peaceful and orderly.

“We will increase the frequency of checkpoint operations in Metro Manila to help deter criminal minds in executing their evil designs,” Eleazar said, adding he directed field commanders to observe proper procedures and professionalism when conducting the checkpoints.

He urged the public to report discourteous and abusive police personnel to the nearest police station for proper disciplinary action.

“I ask the public to be patient and understanding, as our security activities are for the good of everybody,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the start of the campaign period also resulted in additional rules set by the Comelec for the police, including the appointment/hiring of new employees, creation of new positions, salary increases and release/disbursement of public funds, among others.

“(These) restrictions are in addition to certain acts already prohibited during the election period, which include the gun ban and use of security personnel and/or bodyguards by those seeking positions unless authorized by the poll body, among others,” he added.

The gun ban is in effect from Jan. 13 to June 12.

The NCRPO director also called on all police officers to be non-partisan in handling political cases.

He reminded all political candidates to properly coordinate with the NCRPO in securing necessary permits for their political rallies.

“The proper permits and clearances will pave the way for a more secure and orderly gathering for candidates, audiences and the entire neighborhood,” he said.

Vote wisely

In a Facebook post, Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia called on voters to be “smart and discerning.”

“Let us not hesitate to ask the job applicants about their qualifications and their integrity,” Guia said, stressing that this is the voters’ power and responsibility.

“At the end of the day it is us who would ultimately decide where this country is heading,” Guia said.

He said voters are like employers who should start preparing the questions to ask the applicants.

“They should not let the job applicants dictate what the employers should listen to, the employers should define the narrative of the entire interview (campaign) period,” he said.

Guia cautioned voters to be aware of job applicants “who bribe to get hired” and choose those competent and trustworthy.

“They surely are up to something not good. You wouldn’t entrust your money and property to them, would you?” Guia asked.