Avoid media exposure, poll chief advises bets

Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. LYN RILLON

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday advised candidates who have formalized their participation in the 2013 elections to observe delicadeza (propriety) and avoid television guestings and appearances even though the campaign period was still months away.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said candidates must refrain from making their presence felt in the mass media for the sake of observing fair election practices even in the absence of a law prohibiting candidates from premature self-promotion.

Brillantes made the appeal on the heels of the week-long filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) by aspirants  for the Senate, House of Representatives and local government posts.

A total of 84 candidates for senator have registered with the Comelec.

The election body is set to screen these candidates and come out with the list of qualifying candidates in the coming days.

“Out of delicadeza, prospective candidates who filed their COCs last week should refrain from indirect campaigning by appearing on TV, radio and in advertisements,” said Brillantes via his Twitter account.

Appearing on TV and commercials can be construed as indirect image-building and an attempt to take advantage of the absence of a ban on early campaigning, said the poll chief.

“Regardless of what you call it, it can be readily  misinterpreted as an implied endorsement,” he said. “Media exposure of a limited number of prospective candidates cause undue disadvantage to others not afforded the same opportunity.”

Originally posted: 8:07 pm | Sunday, October 7th, 2012