Comelec to disqualify, file criminal charge vs. early campaigners

FILE: Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia (Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday warned all aspiring candidates that charges will be filed for premature campaigning.

In a speech during the security command conference for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Camp Crame in Quezon City, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the poll body alongside law enforcement shall exercise strict actions against early campaigning.

“We will file cases against all of them… Huwag nila kaming susubukan (They shouldn’t dare us). We will disqualify them and we will file criminal cases against all of them,” he said.

Garcia said individuals who will file their certificate of candidacy shall be immediately considered as candidates.

The filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) for BSKE is set from Aug. 28 until Sept. 2.

Garcia said this measure applies to both direct and indirect campaigning.

“Lahat ng nakapaskil nilang ‘yan, may vote for o wala, dapat tanggalin ng bawat isa. Bawal mangampanya, bawal umikot, bawal mamigay, bawal ipakilala ang kanyang sarili (All of the poster materials, with or without the ‘vote for’, should be removed. Campaigning is prohibited, giving is not allowed and also introducing oneself),” he said.

Garcia said stringent measures will be observed even on social media platforms.

“Lahat ng naka-post sa social media, ngayon at pagdating lalung-lalo na ng araw ng filing ng candidacy. Nag-file sila dapat tanggalin lahat-lahat (All social media posting now and especially on the day of filing of candidacy, once they file [their COCs], all must be removed),” he added.

Garcia even cited prohibited content on the candidates’ online accounts.

“Pati sa Facebook dapat din nila tanggalin. Alam niyo kahit ano sabihin nila, kahit kunyare pasayaw-sayaw, pa-TikTok diyan, yan po ay pangangampanya. Wala naman kadahilanan magti TikTok at magsasayaw lalo’t kandidato ka na. Pigilan ang sarili (Even on Facebook, they should remove it. You know, regardless of what they will say, even if it’s just dancing, even a TikTok [content], that’s campaigning. You have no reason to do TikTok or dance videos because you’re now a candidate. Restrain yourself),” he said.

Likewise, incumbent officials are warned against untimely gift-giving, aid distribution, or unusual social service activities as these also fall under premature campaigning.

Possible violators may face disqualification and one to six years imprisonment.

Garcia urged the public to be keen and avoid voting for erring aspiring candidates.

“Huwag niyong iboboto ‘yung mga kandidatong hindi sumusunod sa batas. Hindi pa nga nananalo e, di na sumusunod sa batas. How much more kapag nanalo na ‘yang mga iyan (Don’t vote for candidates violating the laws. They haven’t even won the elections, but they are violating the law. How much more if they win the elections?),” he said.

Under the Comelec guidelines, aspiring candidates are only allowed to conduct their campaigns from Oct. 19 to 28.

Early voting hours

Meanwhile, the Comelec confirmed the conduct of pilot early voting hours for the BSKE in select areas for the vulnerable sector.

The setup is expected to cater to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and heavily pregnant women.

Garcia said early voting will be done from 5 a.m. until 7 a.m. in Muntinlupa and Naga.

Garcia said the Comelec is almost 100 percent done with its preparation, except for the completion of its command conferences with law enforcement and its scheduled training for electoral board members next month.