Comelec to candidates: Negative campaigning allowed, but be wary of libel

While the law does not prohibit negative campaigning against election opponents, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned that such tactics should not lead to defamation.

On Tuesday, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said that candidates should still respect their opponents.

“Sapagkat 'yung atin pong batas nagsasabi ang campaigning ay pupuwedeng for or against a candidate and therefore po, dapat naman pagka magne-negative campaigning ka, irerespeto mo pa rin 'yung karapatan nung mismong ni-negative campaign mo,” he said in an interview on Balitanghali.

(Our law actually allows campaigning for or against a candidate and therefore, if you do negative campaigning, you must still respect the rights of the other candidate.)

Garcia also said that negative campaigning should not lead to stating baseless accusations against an opponent.

“Katulad ng halimbawa, hindi ka dapat bordering doon sa libel o 'yung cyber libel o 'yung tinatawag na oral defamation naman,” he added. “Ibig sabihin, hindi mo dapat sinisira ang pagkatao or integridad ng isang tao sa pamamagitan ng pagbabato ng mga wala namang kuwenta o wala naman palang basehan ng mga akusasyon,” he said.

(For instance, it should not be bordering on libel or cyber libel or oral defamation. It means you should not taint one’s image or integrity by stating nonsense or baseless accusations against another candidate.)

Under Section 79 of the Omnibus Election Code, the term “election campaign” or “partisan political activity” refers to an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office.

The law allows activities such as making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews, publishing or distributing campaign materials, soliciting votes or support "for or against the election of any candidate for public office.”

Disqualification

On the other hand, the Comelec chair explained that disqualification cases against a candidate will not automatically remove his or her name from the ballot.

“Kahit pa nga may inisyal na desisyon laban sa isang kandidato ay wala pong epekto sa mismong kandidato, hindi rin po matatanggal ang kaniyang pangalan sa listahan at nandiyan pa rin ang pangalan niya sa balota,” said Garcia.

(Even if there is an initial decision against a candidate, his name will not be removed from the list and from the ballot.)

The poll chief added that votes for the candidate will still be considered valid as long as there is no decision from the Comelec En Banc and a restraining order from the Supreme Court.

“At kung saka-sakaling hindi matapos ang kaso at maiboto siya, lahat po ng boto ay considered valid o may bisa na boto sapagkat dapat po ang desisyon ay final and executory at magkakaroon lang po ng executory na desisyon kapagka ang Comelec En Banc ay nagkaroon ng desisyon at walang restraining order mula po sa Korte Suprema,” Garcia added.

(If ever the case is still ongoing and that candidate was elected, all the votes are considered valid because the decision should be final and executory from the Comelec En Banc and there’s no restraining order from the Supreme Court.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA Integrated News

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