Comelec exec: No record of campaign permit for Ka Leody’s proclamation rally

The Commission on Election (Comelec) said there is no record of a campaign application permit filed by presidential aspirant and labor leader Leody de Guzman for his proclamation rally in Quezon City.

Comelec Director Elaiza Sabile-David made the confirmation during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

De Guzman is scheduled to mark his first day of campaigning at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Asked if this will be an election offense if the proclamation rally pushes through, David said “Definitely, it is an election offense because the requirement is they need to seek a permit first before conducting a campaign. It is an election offense.”

Reached for their comments, De Guzman’s camp said their political party, Partidong Lakas Masa (PLM), is already “sorting” the matter.

“PLM is already sorting it out po,” Ala Panganiban, De Guzman'’ staff, said in a message.

Campaign applications

Meanwhile, David said at least 71 campaign applications reported so far were filed for the entire country.

“Lahat na po ng regions ‘yan but then yung nakapagmention lang ng mismong names ng mga candidates is two regions. So far sa two regions na yun we have identified Vice President Leni Robredo, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto tandem so far,” she said.

She, however, noted that Moreno and Robredo were denied to conduct individual campaign events in some regions due to lack of documents and filed out of time.

David said the denial of the application of Robredo to conduct a rally in the National Capital Region (NCR) was due to lack of documents.

Moreno, on the other hand, was denied to conduct a motorcade in Region 3 because it was filed out of time.

“Application should be filed at least 72 hours prior to the conduct of the activity and they lack of some requirements,” David said.

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez underscored that the denials of these individual campaign events were not covering the entire campaign itself.

“One of the limitations is that reporting is not all of these reports made their way in the central office so it is possible na incomplete reporting ang hawak natin dito. We will update this as we go along, and we will back check the previous days,” Jimenez said.

The campaign period for Eleksyon 2022 candidates running for national positions has officially started Tuesday, February 8, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleksyon 2022 is set on May 9. — RSJ, GMA News