AS the campaign period officially kicks off today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday made a last-minute appeal to candidates running in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to strictly adhere to campaign rules to avoid being penalized, or even disqualified.
In a statement, the Comelec challenged all barangay and youth candidates to show their constituents that they deserve their votes.
“The Commission on Elections sternly reminds the candidates to be role models of good citizenship by strictly adhering to the applicable laws and issuances relative to campaigning,” said the Comelec.
But aside from the candidates themselves, the poll body stressed that any individual may also be held accountable for violations of campaign rules and laws.
“Violations of Comelec rules and regulations on unlawful campaign propaganda and premature campaigning may be committed, and penalized accordingly, not only by candidates but by any person,” it said.
The Comelec has prohibited the posting of individual posters exceeding 2×3 feet, and billboards, posters, and tarpaulins exceeding 2×3 feet.
Also prohibited are posters that are not standalone, having the maximum size or lesser of 2×3 feet, and put together side by side to form a collage-like poster exceeding 2×3 feet; as well as posters with single letters of names, having the maximum size or lesser of 2×3 feet, assembled together to form a size exceeding 2×3 feet, or other similar manner or means of grouping of such posters that tends to circumvent the size limitation.
Even the posters or tarpaulins bearing the image of candidates, whether individually, by group, or of the whole slate, must not exceed 2×3 feet.
The Commission said election campaign or propaganda materials must also not violate gender sensitivity principles, or are obscene, discriminatory, or offensive, or otherwise constitute a violation of Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.
It also reminded candidates that their posters or tarpaulins must bear the words “Political advertisement paid for/by ________” or “Printed free of charge” as may be applicable.
It also reiterated that giving or distributing anything of value, such as t-shirts, bailers, bags, sun visors, hats, caps, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, ballpens, fans, food and drinks, and transportation are strictly prohibited.
However, the candidate and five of his/her campaign staff are permitted to wear a t-shirt with the candidate’s picture when they conduct their campaigning activities.
The poll body, on the other hand, said campaigning on television or cable television, radio, newspaper, internet, or any other, medium, such as in social media, is allowed for all candidates seeking barangay and SK elective positions, but is subject to the limitation on authorized expenses of candidates, observation of truth in advertising, and to the supervision and regulation by the Comelec.
Live streaming on the candidate’s social media platforms shall also be considered as a form of e-rally, subject to existing rules, said the Comelec.
The campaign period for the October 30 BSKE polls will run for 10 days, or from October 19 to 28.
ABRA
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the poll body is closely monitoring the political developments in Abra amid reports of candidates and Electoral Board (EB) members backing out.
“In recent days, there were reports of problems in Abra, especially in the municipality of Bucay. There is a reported killing of one candidate for kagawad, although it is still an initial report,” said Garcia.
“That development, of course, is a concern on the part of the Comelec,” he added.
He said they have already asked the Provincial Election Supervisor in Abra to submit a complete report on the situation.
“The situation is getting hotter in Abra. We are just waiting for the formal report so that we can act accordingly,” Garcia said.
Initially, however, the poll chief said it remains unproven that candidates are backing out due to threats from their rivals.
“If they are being threatened or not, there are no evidence so far,” said Garcia, citing earlier reports that at least 122 candidates in the October 30 polls in Abra have withdrawn from running.
As for EB members, he said they have been informed that many are withdrawing due to their relationship with some candidates.
“These teachers have reportedly withdrawn because they are related to some candidates in the barangays. There is none so far with regards to having threats of violence,” said Garcia.
As per local reports, at least 44 teachers in Abra have begged off from serving in the polls.
HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
PNP spokesman and concurrent Public Information Office (PIO) chief Col. Jean Fajardo said all police units have been placed on heightened alert status in time for the start of the campaign period.
Fajardo said some 187,000 policemen will be deployed to help ensure peaceful elections.
“The total number of PNP personnel to be deployed nationwide for purposes of BSKE is 187,000 plus,” Fajardo told a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday afternoon.
“With the start of the campaign period, expect the PNP to be on heightened alert in preparation for the 10-day campaign period,” she said, adding the heightened alert status will extend up to election day, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“The guidance of our Chief PNP (Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr) to our field commanders is to exercise maximum tolerance,” said Fajardo as she reminded policemen to report to election officials if they observe illegal campaigning.
“It’s the Comelec, through their local election officers, (who) have the right to send notice to the candidates who violate campaign election guidelines. After they (candidates) are given notice, what follows is the issuance of SCO (show cause order),” said Fajardo.
At the same time, Fajardo told policemen not to immediately remove illegal campaign materials and instead report these to election officials for proper action.
“It will be up to the election officers to issue and send notices to the candidates, particularly on illegal campaign materials placed outside the common poster areas,” she said.
Meanwhile, the AFP Visayas Command (Viscom) has deployed some 120 soldiers to augment troops already assigned in Negros Oriental. The soldiers were sent off from Tacloban City on Tuesday.
“Peace and order situation in Negros Oriental remains very much under control,” said Viscom commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said.
“However, we don’t want to take any chances. This is to ensure the safety and security of our people, as they exercise their rights and cast their votes in the upcoming barangay and SK elections,” added Arevalo.
In March, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others were killed in a daring attack in Pamplona town in the province. The attack was allegedly masterminded by expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
“We will adhere to the directive of the Comelec pertaining to the security deployment in Negros Oriental since the entire province is under their control for the duration of the election period,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo said the additional troops sent to Negros Oriental “will provide us with flexibility, as we secure not only the voting centers but also the entire province and ensure a safe, peaceful, and orderly election.” — With Victor Reyes
