ASIDE from oversized and misplaced campaign materials, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is also frowning at campaign jingles being used by Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates deemed as offensive and gender insensitive.
In a radio interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia warned BSKE candidates using campaign jingles that are considered vulgar and offensive.
“This is a warning to all candidates. We are aware that there are campaign jingles that are not gender sensitive or those that, when heard or seen by the youth, are foul to the ears, and that are offensive and vulgar,” said Garcia.
“We are warning these candidates. It may be funny to you and is meant to catch the attention of voters. But we must always be gender sensitive. This is a warning and they should stop playing those jingles,” he added.
The poll chief said candidates who continue to play gender-insensitive campaign jingles face the possibility of being disqualified.
“We can disqualify them as this is part of the campaign guidelines we have released on the allowed and prohibited acts during the campaign period,” said Garcia.
Under the campaign guidelines, campaign or propaganda materials that violate gender sensitivity principles, or are obscene, discriminatory, or offensive, are deemed as prohibited.
He cited as an example one candidate in Nueva Ecija observed to have a gender-insensitive campaign jingle.
“If, by this week, we still hear this campaign jingle, the candidate will already face possible disqualification,” he said.
Garcia also urged those who know similar campaign jingles to report to the Comelec.
‘COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY’
Regardless of who posted the campaign materials, the Comelec yesterday said BSKE candidates have the command responsibility over those that bear their names and images, especially those deemed as unlawful.
Garcia said it is no longer acceptable for candidates to point fingers at their supporters or campaign personnel as being the ones accountable for the unlawful campaign due to the principle of “command responsibility.
“In the end, it is still ultimately the wrongdoing of the candidates,” said Garcia.
“Ultimately, the one that will get disqualified is not the one putting up posters, but the candidates themselves,” he added.
Instead of pointing fingers, the poll chief said it is imperative for the candidates to educate their supporters and campaign personnel.
He said this means the candidates should orient those helping in their campaigning on the existing Comelec guidelines.
“Those in their ‘Oplan Kabit’ operations must be trained, and briefed because they are not fully aware of where they should and should not put posters,” he said.
Last week, the Comelec launched its nationwide “Operation Baklas,” with unlawful campaign materials being taken down.
Additionally, the Comelec has issued 341 show cause orders to BSKE candidates found illegally campaigning.
