Comelec reminds pols on the do’s, don’t’s of village poll campaign

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Violations of prohibited acts in connection with the Oct. 28 barangay elections can result in post-election disqualification, as well as fines and jail terms of up to six years.

This warning was issued on Thursday, by James Jimenez, the Commission on Elections spokesperson, who added that violation of campaign rules would also constitute as election offenses.

The campaign period for the barangay polls starts today, Oct. 18, and ends on Oct. 26.

Jimenez said they “expect that starting tomorrow, campaigning for barangay posts will go full blast.”

“That is why, we’re reminding candidates about the sizes of their posters, which should not be more than two feet by three feet; the placement of their campaign materials, which should only be in common poster areas; and the spending cap of P5 per voter, which is in effect. These are the three things we’re looking at,” he said.

He noted that “there are many ways of campaigning. Some of them will be giving away candies or pens, whatever. Ultimately, our limitation is P5 per voter.”

He said the same spending limits applied to broadcast advertisements, though not many broadcast advertisements could be expected at the barangay-level elections.

“But even then, if some candidates make use of such ads, that will definitely fall within the spending limit,” Jimenez said.

At the same time, he sought to remind the public of other election-related offenses like “violation of the gun ban, receiving donations from prohibited sources like schools and government-owned and controlled corporations, among others.”

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9715, issued on June 18, 2013, the other prohibited acts during the campaign period are “removing, destroying, defacing, tampering with or preventing the distribution of election propaganda; use of armored land, water or air craft; appointing or using special police personnel or confidential agents, and the construction or maintenance of roads and bridges funded by local government units.”

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