Comelec trying to stop premature campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — The image of candidates on a poster or any material is considered a form of campaigning and should be stopped at this time, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said almost all candidates are taking advantage of loopholes in the premature campaigning law and employing different strategies to promote their candidacy.

“Premature campaigning happens on all sides. The difference is how big the politicians, how often they do it and how much propaganda materials like posters and television commercials (are utilized),” Jimenez posted on his Twitter account. 

When a candidate asks media to cover his or her ordinary activity, Jimenez said it is a form of premature campaigning.

“Presence or absence of ‘vote for me’ or similar words is irrelevant. Materials are considered campaign propaganda if they promote (victory),” he pointed out.

But Jimenez admitted that there is no law at this time prohibiting premature campaigning.

Sen. Richard Gordon earlier proposed a measure that would consider one a candidate as soon as he or she files his or her certificate of candidacy.

Jimenez noted that approximately three months prior to the start of the campaign period, a candidate should be punished for campaigning prematurely if he or she distributes campaign propaganda.

But until the proposed measure is enacted into law, Jimenez said a candidate cannot be sanctioned for premature campaigning.

Jimenez previously asked the public to help the Comelec and use social media to stop politicians from premature campaigning.

But Jimenez observed that most netizens only criticized politicians they disliked.

“(For) politicians they support, (the public makes) excuses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jimenez urged politicians to avoid premature campaigning whether or not there is a law prohibiting it.“Bottomline, premature campaigning is wrong – whoever is doing it. (While those who engage) in premature campaigning cannot be penalized, it is still wrong,” he stressed.