OVER 41,000 candidates for local posts are set to start today their campaign for the May 12 electoral exercise with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) posed to strictly implement the guidelines it has previously set.
Comelec data shows that there are 41,342 candidates for district representatives, governor, vice governor, provincial board members, mayor, vice mayor, and councilors.
The local campaign period will run until May 10,
The Comelec said it will now have full jurisdiction over the local candidates and their respective actions.
Comelec chairman George Garcia reminded local candidates to strictly adhere to the campaign guidelines set under Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which sets the size, material and places where campaign posters maybe placed.
Garcia said the Comelec has directed their local Comelec personnel to put up more common poster areas in their respective areas.
“Let us have more common poster areas so that the candidates won’t complain of having too few areas to post their campaign materials,” he said.
The Comelec said unlawful campaign materials will be subjected to notices to be sent to the concerned candidates.
Garcia also reminded candidates and political parties to follow the policies of local government units, including seeking the necessary permits, when holding campaign rallies.
MAGUINDANAO
As this developed, the military stepped up patrols and checkpoint operations in Maguindanao del Norte following the Wednesday ambush-slay in Datu Odin Sinsuat town of an election officer and her husband.
Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the “heinous crime” against lawyer Maceda Abo and her husband Jojo “poses a direct threat to the integrity of our democratic processes, especially with the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.”
Ahead of its plans to place Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte under Comelec Control, the poll body said police personnel will be assigned to serve as members of the Electoral Boards (EBs) in all the polling precincts in the municipality on May 12.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the en banc is set to designate PNP personnel to replace public school teachers on Election Day to all the polling precincts in the area where the incident took place.
“The Comelec en banc is set to approve the tapping of PNP personnel from other regions to serve as members of the Electoral Boards, as support staff, and even as Department of Education Supervisor Officials,” said Garcia.
“We have over 7,000 members of the PNP that underwent training and have been certified (as qualified to serve as EBs),” he added.
Gumiran condemned the ambush on the Abo couple as a “cowardly and brutal” attack.
The couple was onboard a Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle, driven by Jojo, when they were attacked by unidentified assailants in Barangay Makir in Datu Odin Sinsuat town.
Jojo Abo was declared dead on arrival at the Datu Odin Sinsuat District Hospital. His wife, Maceda Abo, was first brought to the same hospital after she was “severely injured.” She was transferred to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center where she later died.
Gumiran said the military is working closely with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies “to swiftly identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“In response, we have intensified military and security operations, tightened patrols around nearby Army detachments, and ramped up checkpoint inspections to apprehend those responsible,” he said. – With Victor Reyes
“Let this be a strong message: We will not allow lawless elements to undermine peace and order, particularly during this crucial election period. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families,” he said.
