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No complaint at start of local campaign: Comelec
FILE: ELECTION PULSE. Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson.
Director James Jimenez (left), says that the poll body has designated common poster areas for candidates to put up their campaign materials during the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) media forum, entitled “Election Pulse” held at the NPC Building in Intramuros, Manila on Friday (Feb. 15, 2019). Jimenez also appealed to the public report any violations of candidates running in the 2019 mid-term elections so that the Comelec can file charges against them. He also encouraged the voters to take photos of the candidates, who violate the rules with complete details and send to their office. Also in photo is NPC President Rolly “Lakay” Gonzalo. (PNA photo by Ben Briones).
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday it has yet to receive any complaint at the start of the campaign period for local candidates on Friday.
“It’s a positive feedback in the sense that we haven’t received complaint of congested streets. No one is complaining about the early morning campaigning activity. We always remind them of those things,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in an interview.
“Again, it’s still just the first day and let’s face it, they’ve been campaigning since they filed their Certificates of Candidacy. So we don’t expect that there is a substantial difference between now and then,” he added.
Jimenez said many candidates have used social media to campaign.
“If at all the biggest noticeable difference is that there are more of those who post pictures on their Facebook account to campaign,” Jimenez said.
At the same time, Jimenez reminded local aspirants to supervise their supporters since tension usually happens at the local level.
“We would like to ask our candidates to exercise strict control over their supporters so that they won’t be too rowdy,” he said.
“As everyone knows, local elections are a little more volatile, more hard-fought than national level contests because of the proximity of the contending parties,” Jimenez added.
