Campaign period for local bets starts March 28, 2025

The race for Eleksyon 2025 is expected to heat up as the 45-day campaign period for local candidates starts on Friday, March 28, 2025. 

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday issued reminders to local bets as he urged them to abide by the guidelines set by the poll body for the safe and successful conduct of the upcoming midterm elections. 

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

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

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

(We call on bets to abide by the Comelec rules.)

Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which sets the rules and regulations for Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, scheduled the campaign period for the national candidates from February 11 to May 10. The campaign period for local positions will run from March 28 until May 10, 2025.

Candidates are not allowed to campaign on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day.) 

According to Garcia, the Comelec will impose stricter measures against election campaign materials that do not comply with size limitations or are posted in unauthorized public spaces.

The correct size for election pamphlets, leaflets, and stickers is 8.5” x 14” while posters and standees should be 2ft x 3ft. Streamers for campaign rallies should be 3ft x 8ft. The election paraphernalia can be released five days before the rally but should be removed after 24 hours. 

Candidates will also be allowed to avail the 60-minute airtime for broadcast election propaganda from TV stations and 90-minute radio ads, whether donated or from their own pockets. 

Garcia also said the Comelec will implement tighter measures against vote-buying, vote-selling, and abuse of state resources as they relaunched the Committee on Kontra-Bigay.

Prohibited acts

Under the Comelec guidelines, other prohibited acts during the campaign period leading to Election Day include: 

• Handing out of donations starting February 11 to May 12 by the candidate, his or her spouse, or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or his campaign manager, agent, or representative
• Appointing or using special policemen, confidential agents, or persons performing similar functions.

From March 28 to May 11, the restrictions on transferring, hiring, and promotion of employees in government offices will also be implemented. The spending ban will likewise start during the aforementioned period.

On the eve of Election Day, a liquor ban will be imposed nationwide. Giving or accepting free of charge, directly or indirectly, transportation, food or drinks or things of value; or giving or contributing, directly or indirectly, money or things of value for such purpose, by any candidate, political party, or organization, or any person will also be prohibited.

Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec would conduct a nationwide synchronized Grand Oplan Baklas, or the removal of illegal campaign materials posted on undesignated common poster areas or other public places on early Friday for the start of the local campaign period. 

“Magkakaroon po kami ng Grand Baklas Operation ngayong darating na March 28. Ilalatag natin yan sa buong bansa—lahat ng regional offices ng Comelec, opisina ng election officers, ay magtatanggal ng illegally posted materials, mga materials na hindi environmentally friendly,”  said Garcia. 

(We will have a Grand Baklas Operation on March 28. We will launch this nationwide—all Comelec regional offices, election officers will remove illegally posted materials, and materials that are not environmentally friendly.)

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 an election offense, which may lead to disqualification.

18K seats for NLE

A total of 18,320 seats are up for grabs in the upcoming national and local elections, based on the latest Comelec data. Of the figures, 12 seats are for senators, 63 are for party-list representatives, and 254 are for House members. 

At the local level, 82 vacancies are for governors and vice-governors, 840 for Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, 149 for city mayors and vice-mayors, and 1,493 for municipal mayors and vice-mayors. Meanwhile, there are 1,690 seats for Sangguniang Panglungsod members and 11,948 for Sangguniang Bayan members.

There are 69,673,655 registered voters for the May elections, of whom 68,431,965 are in the Philippines while 1,241,690 are overseas. 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, 2025.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025-related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.