Checkpoints, gun ban as election period begins

The Philippines on Sunday entered the election period ahead of the May 12 midterm polls.

To prevent election-related violence, stricter security measures will be enforced, including a gun ban and the establishment of checkpoints.

At checkpoints, only visual inspections are allowed. Police are prohibited from opening a vehicle’s trunk or glove compartment, as well as dismounting or frisking passengers.

According to the Commission on Elections, the campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 11 to May 10. The days set for campaigning exclude April 17 and 18, as the country observes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

Although the official campaign period will not start until February 11, campaign posters and materials featuring aspirants’ faces and names are already widespread across the country.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia clarified that the commission cannot act against these materials yet as these personalities are still considered aspirants rather than candidates for Eleksyon 2025.

In its decision promulgated in 2009, the Supreme Court said, ''Congress has laid down the law—a candidate is liable for election offenses only upon the start of the campaign period.''

The election day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30.

Candidates are prohibited from campaigning on May 11, and the liquor ban will be enforced until election day.

The other prohibited acts during the election period are the following:

• Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.
• Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct.
• Transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, except upon prior approval of the Commission.
• Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces.
• Suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officers without prior approval of the Commission.

The election period will end on June 11. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News