No Comelec rule prohibiting President from endorsing bets, says exec

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — There is no rule by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that hinders the President from endorsing candidates, poll body spokesperson James Jimenez said Thursday.

During a joint press briefing of Comelec and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Jimenez was asked if there are Comelec guidelines that prohibit the President from supporting candidates.

“To be honest, wala kasi (none because) under our rules and Civil Service Regulations, political officials, political officers, are actually given a lot of leeway sa pag-e-endorso ng mga kandidato (in endorsing candidates),” the spokesman replied.

What is not allowed, Jimenez stressed, is the use of government resources to the advantage of an endorsed candidate.

“Ang pinagbabawal natin — and we agree with the DILG on this — of course, is the use of government resources pero ‘yung paghahayag lang ng political opinion, hindi naman po bawal ‘yan,” he said.

(What we do not allow — and we agree with the DILG on this — of course, is the use of government resources but stating your political opinion, that is not prohibited.)

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said he will remain neutral and will not endorse any presidential candidate in the coming May elections in order to avoid controversy.

Jimenez believed that Duterte’s refusal to declare support for a presidential bet could be the President’s leadership style.

“I think in the case of the President, it’s — you know — it’s a question of his leadership kasi, na of (because) his leadership style, I guess, na ayaw niya mag-endorso (does not want to endorse). That’s entirely up to him,” he said.

Duterte, however, was openly endorsing the candidacy of his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for vice president. He had also made public his support for the candidacy of 17 politicians running for senator in this year’s polls.

KGA