The Commission on Elections on Thursday warned candidates of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in opposition to untimely campaigning.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco mentioned the guide BSKE was not coated by a Supreme Court resolution which mentioned those that have filed their certificates of candidacy weren’t thought-about candidates till the beginning of the marketing campaign interval.
Thus, placing up posters earlier than the election interval could also be thought-about untimely campaigning.
“Hindi lamang kandidato ang maaaring may liability pati po ang mga taong gumagawa patungkol dito,” Laudiangco mentioned in Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras.”
(Not only the candidates but anyone who will make the materials may be charged.)
The Omnibus Election Code only allows leaflets, posters, tarpaulins, banners, and streamers with correct sizing as legitimate campaign materials, he added.
“Any other kind of campaign paraphernalia ay maaari pong pumasok, katulad ng t-shirts, ball caps, baller bands, at iba pa. Maaring ma-consider na isang pamamaraan ng pamimili ng boto,” Laudiangco said.
(Any other kind of campaign paraphernalia may be considered part of vote-buying including t-shirts, ball caps, and baller bands.)
As for the rules for SK elections, the poll body bars political dynasties and may disqualify candidates with relatives elected in positions up to second degree by affinity.
Overspending is likewise prohibited.
A former Comelec commissioner said the poll body may be infringing on other people’s rights.
“Ang matatamaan niyan yung tinatawag nating freedom of expression. Ang exception, kung meron kang justification sa pagbabawal. At tama, ang justification dito ay leveling the playing field,” ex-Comelec commissioner Luie Guia said.
(They may be violating the freedom of expression. The exception is if they have justification and one good reason is leveling the playing field.)
The Comelec’s interpretation of the law and the SC ruling may also be questioned, he said. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
