Candidates warned vs Holy Week campaigning

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded all candidates that campaigning is strictly prohibited today and tomorrow, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the synchronized election law provides that Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were specifically excluded in the poll body’s “Calendar of Activities” in relation to the preparations for the elections on May 9.

Bautista warned that violators would face an election offense punishable with the suspension of the right of suffrage, disqualification from holding public office and imprisonment of up to six years.

Based on the Calendar of Activities, the ban on the construction of public works and the release of public funds takes effect tomorrow until May 8.

Also prohibited is the appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the 60-day campaign period for local candidates would start on Saturday, March 26.

He warned all local candidates must remove all their propaganda materials posted before Saturday or they will face election offense.

Jimenez said Comelec personnel, as well as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will be documenting and taking down illegally posted campaign materials.

There are a total of 18,067 local and national posts up for grabs in the elections on May 9.

It includes president and vice president, 12 senators, 58 party-list representatives, 235 seats for the House of Representatives, 81 each for governor and vice governor, 772 Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board), 1,1634 each for mayor and vice mayor, 13,532 for Sangguniang Pambayan (city and municipal board), one each for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor and vice-governor and 24 for ARMM regional assembly.

There are more almost 45,000 candidates vying for these positions. There are 54.3 million registered voters.