MMDA discourages Eleksyon 2025 aspirants from campaigning at cemeteries

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday advised aspirants in the 2025 national and local elections to refrain from campaigning at cemeteries during Undas or All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

“Rather than mag-advertise o mangampanya ay tumulong sa kaayusan noong lugar lalong-lalo na po dito sa mga lugar ng mga sementeryo. Ganun din po sa paglilinis,” MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said in a press conference after an inter-agency meeting for the November 1 and 2 occasions.

(Rather than advertising or campaigning, help with the peace and order in the area, especially in cemeteries. They can also help with the cleaning.)

“So nasa kanila naman po 'yun. Sa palagay ko naman po sa day and age ng social media especially kapag nakikita naman po 'yung mga ganyan naba-bash so baka mag-backfire din sa kanila,” he added.

(So it's up to them, I think. In the day and age of social media, especially when people see that they are just campaigning they will be bashed, it might backfire.)

Asked if politicians with banners and streamers are allowed at the entrance of cemeteries, Artes said it is up to them as long as they are following the ordinance of concerned local governments.

“Nasa kanila na po 'yan kung gusto nilang mag-set up ng tent mamigay ng tubig nasa kanila po 'yan. Hindi naman po natin pagbabawalan so long as hindi po nakakaabala sa traffic, sa galaw rin ng mga tao at ng mga sasakyan,” he said.

(It's up to them if they want to set up a tent and give out water, it's up to them. We won't prohibit it as long as it doesn't obstruct the traffic, the movement of people and vehicles.)

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said the campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set from February 11 to March 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal posts is from March 28 to May 10, 2025.

The election day is set on May 12.—AOL, GMA Integrated News