DILG endorses campaignrelated violations to Comelec
The law department of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas (DILG-6) has already endorsed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the campaignrelated violations they have monitored.
DILG-6 regional director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said that during the election period it is the Comelec who has the control over almost everything.
“The report was submitted to us but is subject to factfinding,” Ingeniero said.
Comelec Resolution 10732 lays down the rules for in-person campaigns, motorcades and rallies.
Any person who shall violate the election guidelines in conducting campaign activities shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.
In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.
Other punishments are also indicated in the said resolution.
The Comelec Resolution states that in-person campaigning is not allowed for Alert Levels 4 and 5 while candidates or campaign leaders must only be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff in Alert Level 2 and three for Alert Level 3.
For Alert Level 1, there is no limit to the number of companions the candidates can have.
Also, for in-house campaigning, entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner; and, crowding, or allowing crowds that violate MPHS around the candidate and his or her companions are not allowed.
For caucuses, meetings, convention, rallies, and miting de avance, 70 percent of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor is allowed for Alert Level 1; 50 percent of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor for Level 2; 50 percent of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only for Level 3; 30 percent of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoors only for Level 4 while for Level 5, none among the gatherings mentioned are permitted.
During motorcades in all category levels, stopovers, layovers, and other similar stoppages for the conduct of other election campaign activities are likewise not permitted.
Meanwhile, in all alert levels, handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidates, their companions, and the public; taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public; and, distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items are not allowed in all campaign activities mentioned.