Pols split on plan to extend poll campaign period

The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) proposal to extend the election campaign period to 120 days to stop the premature campaigning by aspiring candidates has been given mixed reviews by some of the senators and other elective officials intending to run in 2016.

In interviews and text messages to reporters, politicians gave varied reactions to the Comelec proposal to start the official campaign period of national and local candidates on Jan. 10, 2016.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is seeking reelection, said he wanted to know what “justifications” the Comelec had before he could comment on the plan.

“I asked myself where is the campaign period set, is it in the law or is set by Comelec? If it’s set in the law, they cannot change it. If it’s set by Comelec they can do it and rationalize [it]. But I don’t know the facts, so I don’t want to comment yet,” Drilon to reporters.

Another reelectionist senator, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, said he didn’t think the Comelec was allowed to extend the campaign period.

“Assuming they have the authority, they should even limit (it),” he said.

For one thing, this would mean the candidates will have to spend more for their campaign, said Recto.

It will also adversely affect the economy as the ban on public works will effectively begin earlier, he said.

The Comelec should study the “entire implication” of its proposal, said Recto.

Reelectionist Sen. Vicente Sotto said an extended election period would be costly for the candidates.

The Comelec should have a “rational and reasonable ground” for extending the campaign period than it being unable to enforce the current law/rule against premature campaigning, said Sen. Francis Escudero, who is said to be considering a vice-presidential run.

“As a general rule, I don’t agree with an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach to doing things,” Escudero said.

“I hope they have another ground/reason that is grounded on a study or some lofty ideal or purpose that they seek to achieve with this change so that both the voters and would-be candidates can know,” the senator said.

Sen. Koko Pimentel III, on the other hand, said the Comelec proposal was a good idea as this complemented a “counterpart proposal to increase the allowable campaign expenditure ceiling.”

“So the two ideas can actually go hand in hand,” Pimentel said.

Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who may be running for president, said that as a voter he would agree to the Comelec plan as this would give him time “to better know my candidates since they have more time to campaign and present their platforms and programs of government.”