Comelec: Holy Week campaigning poll offense

MANILA, Philippines–The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday reminded candidates in next month’s midterm polls to abstain from campaigning during Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

“We want to remind them that it is forbidden to campaign on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We call these days the ‘quiet period,’” Commissioner Luie Guia said, citing Comelec Resolution No. 19429, which prohibits campaigning on April 18 and 19.

Doing so is an election offense punishable by one to six years in prison, disqualification from public office and loss of the right to vote.

Motorcades as well as television and radio campaign advertisements are covered by the prohibition, he added.

Meanwhile, Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action, reminded candidates and their supporters not to wear campaign shirts inside churches during the Holy Week.

“Even if there is no law that prohibits it, they should be sensitive. We appeal to their delicadeza,” Gariguez said. —Tina G. Santos