Comelec to prospective candidates, media: Avoid premature campaigning.
Now that the period for filing of certificates of candidacy is over, the Commission on Elections on Saturday appealed to candidates and media outlets not to engage in what it called "indirect campaigning."
While he admitted there is no law yet prohibiting such acts, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. cited "delicadeza" in urging prospective candidates not to engage in such campaigning.
"Out of delicadeza, prospective candidates who filed their COCs should refrain from indirect campaigning by appearing on TV, radio and in ads," he said in a series of posts on his Twitter account.
Several senatorial candidates who filed their COCs this week had been appearing on television ads, supposedly advocating various causes.
On the other hand, other prospective candidates have been active on social media, with re-electionist bets retweeting what they claimed were messages from their constituents.
Also, Brillantes said: "I have the same call to TV/radio stations and media in general, giving unnecessary exposure to select candidates in the guise of interviews."
"Regardless of what you call it, it can readily be misinterpreted as indirect campaigning or implied endorsement," he added.
Brillantes reminded the media that this may give some bets "undue disadvantage" over others who are "not afforded the same opportunity."
Registration resumes
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez reminded voters to go out and register for the 2013 elections, now that the period for filing of COCs has ended.
"Voter registration has resumed. Go. Now," he tweeted.
In a radio interview last Monday, Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez admitted the Comelec cannot go after some candidates and supporters who engage in “premature” campaigning, at least until February.
Jimenez said the election period does not start until 90 days before the Election Day at most.
“Ang palagi nating sinasabi, wala talagang panagutan ang mga yan dahil ayon sa batas ang pinagbabawal sa kanila tulad ng ginagawa nila ngayon pwede lang natin ipagbawal sa pag simula ng kampanya e Pebrero pa yan," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Under Comelec Resolution 9385, the election period starts on Jan. 13, 2013 and ends June 12, 2013.
The resolution also states the campaign period for senators and party-list groups starts Feb. 12, while the campaign period for House of Representatives and local officials starts March 29. The campaign period ends May 11.
“So ang mga ginagawa nila ngayon bagama't alam nating premature campaigning 'yan e hindi naman natin sila masita," Jimenez said.
On Monday, the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2013 elections at the Comelec ended on a peaceful but messy note.
While supporters of candidates did not engage in violent confrontations, many of them left behind garbage near the Comelec's main office in Intramuros, radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported.
Supporters of several candidates had begun showing up at the Comelec since early Monday morning, setting up tarpaulins and other campaign materials.
The report said the volume of garbage, which included plastic bags and food containers, threatened to be a headache for sweepers from the Intramuros Administration.
Security remained tight at the Comelec, which was to receive the certificates of candidacy of those running in the 2013 elections, until 5 p.m of October 5. — LBG,
While he admitted there is no law yet prohibiting such acts, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. cited "delicadeza" in urging prospective candidates not to engage in such campaigning.
"Out of delicadeza, prospective candidates who filed their COCs should refrain from indirect campaigning by appearing on TV, radio and in ads," he said in a series of posts on his Twitter account.
Several senatorial candidates who filed their COCs this week had been appearing on television ads, supposedly advocating various causes.
On the other hand, other prospective candidates have been active on social media, with re-electionist bets retweeting what they claimed were messages from their constituents.
Also, Brillantes said: "I have the same call to TV/radio stations and media in general, giving unnecessary exposure to select candidates in the guise of interviews."
"Regardless of what you call it, it can readily be misinterpreted as indirect campaigning or implied endorsement," he added.
Brillantes reminded the media that this may give some bets "undue disadvantage" over others who are "not afforded the same opportunity."
Registration resumes
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez reminded voters to go out and register for the 2013 elections, now that the period for filing of COCs has ended.
"Voter registration has resumed. Go. Now," he tweeted.
In a radio interview last Monday, Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez admitted the Comelec cannot go after some candidates and supporters who engage in “premature” campaigning, at least until February.
Jimenez said the election period does not start until 90 days before the Election Day at most.
“Ang palagi nating sinasabi, wala talagang panagutan ang mga yan dahil ayon sa batas ang pinagbabawal sa kanila tulad ng ginagawa nila ngayon pwede lang natin ipagbawal sa pag simula ng kampanya e Pebrero pa yan," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Under Comelec Resolution 9385, the election period starts on Jan. 13, 2013 and ends June 12, 2013.
The resolution also states the campaign period for senators and party-list groups starts Feb. 12, while the campaign period for House of Representatives and local officials starts March 29. The campaign period ends May 11.
“So ang mga ginagawa nila ngayon bagama't alam nating premature campaigning 'yan e hindi naman natin sila masita," Jimenez said.
On Monday, the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2013 elections at the Comelec ended on a peaceful but messy note.
While supporters of candidates did not engage in violent confrontations, many of them left behind garbage near the Comelec's main office in Intramuros, radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported.
Supporters of several candidates had begun showing up at the Comelec since early Monday morning, setting up tarpaulins and other campaign materials.
The report said the volume of garbage, which included plastic bags and food containers, threatened to be a headache for sweepers from the Intramuros Administration.
Security remained tight at the Comelec, which was to receive the certificates of candidacy of those running in the 2013 elections, until 5 p.m of October 5. — LBG,
