Leni Robredo wants candidates penalized for premature campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo wants politicians who campaigned prior to the filing of their certificates of candidacy (COCs) penalized.

“There must be a fine for those who campaigned prior to the filing of their COCs,” Robredo said in her radio program BISErbisyong Leni yesterday.

She supported a call of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for Congress to pass a law against premature campaigning.

Rich candidates are taking advantage by coming up with billboards, tarpaulins as well as radio and TV commercials one year before the elections, she said.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier said Congress should enact a law requiring expenses incurred by candidates upon the filing of their COCs be included in the computation of their allowable or authorized election spendings.

Under the current rules, the poll body requires candidates to account only for expenses incurred at the time of the campaign period.

“This way, premature campaigning will be minimized if not totally eradicated since candidates have to save for their expenses when the campaign period starts,” Macalintal, who is running for senator in next year’s elections, said.

Republic Act 9369 provides that a person seeking an elective position is only considered a candidate once the campaign period commences.