INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
THE PHILIPPINE National Police stepped up its alert level as the campaign period for local elections kicked off Saturday.
“We know local elections tend to get more heated. So we have ordered increased police presence and more focus on operations on the ground,” PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez told reporters last week.
The PNP has been placed on heightened alert since March 15, but Marquez said it was up to regional directors to elevate the status if required.
“One feature of heightened alert is extended hours of duty. But under extreme circumstances, we would still allow our people to go on leave,” Marquez explained. Under full alert, all leaves are canceled.
On the PNP watchlist because of intense political rivalries are Pangasinan, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Western Samar, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
Only two confirmed cases of election-related violence have been reported since the start of the election period on Jan. 10.
The campaign period for local elections officially began Saturday, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) expected politicians to go all out in their campaign starting today.
“The resurrection of the politicians will happen,” Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said in a phone interview.
“So far, they’ve been quiet. I haven’t heard any campaign (jingles). I think people are still praying,” he said. “So far, I haven’t received any negative feedback, no news is good news. I hope it stays that way,” he added.
The Comelec said there were 18,067 seats to be filled in the May 9 local polls and 44,694 candidates were vying for them.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, the release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds, construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devises for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds, and the appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege are banned from March 25 to May 8, 2016.
Election rules require candidates to post their banners only in common poster areas or public places designated by the Comelec such as plazas, markets, barangay centers and other places approved by election officials.
Local candidates and political parties are entitled to not more than 60 minutes of TV ads per station and 90 minutes of radio commercials, also per station.
Candidates are prohibited from giving gifts in cash or in kind. The appointment or use of special policemen and confidential agents is prohibited.
Violation of campaign rules carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, disqualification from public office and removal of the right to vote.
Bautista is encouraging the public to use social media to report and “shame” candidates violating the Fair Elections Act.