Comelec commissioner to candidates: Police your supporters

MANILA, Philippines — Police your supporters to avoid poll violations, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Erwin Garcia advised candidates on Monday.

“Doon naman po sa ating mga kandidato, sa atin pong mga partido politikal, kayo na po magpupulis ng inyong mga sariling mga tao. Alam niyo naman po na bawal mamigay ng ganto, alam niyo naman po na ‘di pupwede ‘yung ganito,” Garcia said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(To our candidates and political parties, police your own people. You know what activities are allowed and prohibited.)

“Minsan po kasi hindi rin nabibigyan ng tamang gabay ‘yung ating mga taga-suporta at tamang gabay ‘yung ating team. Dapat kayo po mismo ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng dapat na gagawin,” he said.

(Sometimes, supporters and teams are not given proper support. You should be the ones telling them the right thing to do.)

Meanwhile, Garcia likewise advised voters to delve into the actions of their bets, warning them of the consequences if they vote for violators of the law.

“Tayo pong mga mamamayan, kapag nakikita niyo ang mga kandidato niyo hindi sumusunod sa batas, isipin niyo, kumakandidato pa lang hindi na sumusunod sa batas, sa patakaran ng Comelec. ‘Pag nanalo ‘yan, maaari ang iba diyan, sila pa ang gagawa ng batas, sila pa magpapatupad ng batas, paano niyo aasahan po na maipapatupad ng batas ‘yung mga violators?,” he told the public.

(With us citizens, when we see our candidates not following the law, think of it: he’s just a candidate yet he’s not following the law and Comelec rules. If they win, they may be the ones creating or implementing the law; how can you count on them to follow if they’re violators?)

READ: Poll bets warned vs holding raffles during campaign sorties

“Ang desisyon niyo po ay ang kinabukasan para sa inyong mga anak, para sa inyong mga apo, para po sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” he went on.

(Your decision is the future of your children, grandchildren, and the country.)

The campaign period for the May 9 elections is ongoing.

READ: Comelec releases calendar for 2022 polls; COC filing set on Oct. 1 to 8

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez recently said that violations during campaigns will be forwarded to their local offices for investigation.

READ: Reports of giving money during campaign to be referred to local Comelec execs — Jimenez

je