Comelec tells candidates on eve of local campaign period: Follow the rules

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday issued reminders to local candidates on the eve of the 45-day local campaign period for Eleksyon 2025.

In an interview, Garcia called on local bets to abide by the Comelec guidelines for the May polls, including the use of lawful election paraphernalia and mounting these in designated areas only.

Lawful election paraphernalia include campaign materials compliant to the size guidelines and use of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials.

"Pinakahihintay natin ito dahil ang jurisdiction ng Comelec ay mai-invoke na para maipapatupad na natin nang sapat ang ating election laws," said Garcia.

(We are waiting for this because the poll body can now invoke our jurisdiction and impose our election laws.)

"Sa mga kumakandidato, tandaan lang laging tatalima sa pinag-uutos ng Comelec," he said.

(We call on bets to abide with Comelec rules.)

Garcia likewise urged candidates to refrain from vote-buying and reminded them of other restrictions during sorties, such as providing food or drinks to supporters."At the same time, kapag may natanggap na notice to remove, just remove the materials," he added.

(If you receive a notice to remove, then remove the materials.)

The campaign period for local candidates for Eleksyon 2025 is slated on Friday, March 28 to May 10. However, campaigning will be prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and  May 12 (Election Day).

On Friday, the Comelec is scheduled to conduct a nationwide synchronized Oplan Baklas, or the removal of illegal campaign materials posted on undesignated common poster areas or other public places for the start of the local campaign period.

The Comelec previously said it would issue notices to candidates directing them to remove unlawful campaign materials as well as election campaign paraphernalia mounted outside the designated areas within three days as part of "Oplan Baklas."

Failure to comply may result in the filing of election offense, which may lead to disqualification.

In a 24 Oras report Thursday, Sandra Aguinaldo said  the Comelec announced it is set to intensify its monitoring efforts, particularly in areas with a history of election-related violence.

The poll body said authorities are closely watching incidents of violence, including the recent ambush in Maguindanao del Norte that resulted in the deaths of a Comelec election officer and her husband.

In response to security concerns, Comelec is considering deploying police officers instead of teachers as election board members in select areas. 

The commission emphasized that police personnel have undergone the necessary training to fulfill this role. Additionally, Comelec is evaluating the possibility of placing Datu Odin Sinsuat, along with the entire Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte provinces, under its control due to recurring violence in these areas.

To enhance the safety of election personnel, Comelec's security committee has decided to offer at least two security escorts for election officers, especially in high-risk areas like Maguindanao and other regions in Mindanao.

Increased security

Meanwhile, the poll body said it deployed additional security personnel from the police and military to election areas of concern under the "red" category.

"Dinagdagan po namin ang puwersa du'n nang hindi nila nalalaman. Ibig sabihin, nag-mobilize kami ng ilang puwersa," he said.

(We discreetly mobilized additional security personnel in these areas. This means that we mobilized additional troops.)

Last week, the Comelec said there are 36 areas of concern listed under the "red" category for the May polls so far.

Comelec Resolution 11067 states that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) classify all areas in the country under four categories: green, yellow, orange, and red.

Areas under the green category are areas with no security concerns or are relatively peaceful and orderly for the conduct of elections.

Yellow areas have reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, provided there was no participation of domestic terror groups. The areas were also be previously declared under Comelec control and reported the possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries.

Orange areas should have the combination of two or more factors under the yellow category; and should have serious armed threats posed by communist terror groups (CTGs) or other threat groups.

Meanwhile, red areas meet the parameters for yellow and have serious threats posed by CTGs or other threat groups. There should also be Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas with the possibility for violence and intense political fights among local candidates. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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