Local bets urged to heed campaign ban on Holy Week or face jail

Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. urged local candidates to heed the prohibition on campaigning on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday or face possible arrest.

Worst, violators may also find themselves in jail, Brillantes warned.

“They can be immediately arrested if there are any [local candidates] campaigning because it is a direct violation of prohibition on campaigning during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday,” Brillantes told reporters Wednesday.

“Pag may nagkakampanya pakisumbong sa amin at yun pwede natin ipakulong agad (Report violators to us and we may put them in jail),” he said.

Brillantes however clarified that candidates, local or national, will not be prohibited from going to churches or partaking in other religious activities in observance of the Holy Week.

He said they should simply refrain from activities like giving away leaflets and pamphlets, putting up posters or tarpaulins in or around churches, giving speeches, and other acts that deliberately aim to get votes from the public.

When asked about other gimmicks such as giving away to devotees bottled water with the name and pictures of candidates printed on it at religious gatherings, he said it is up to them to tell if it is a form of campaigning or not.

He repeated his call for candidates to take a break from campaigning and respect the religious traditions.