Comelec girds for start of campaign period of local bets on March 29

March 27, 2019

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday it is ready to oversee the campaign period for local candidates in the May 13 polls when it begins Friday.

In an interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said their field officers will monitor possible violations of campaign rules among local candidates.

“The campaign period pretty much runs by itself. Our only concern there is looking out for possible violations,” said Jimenez.

“We are as ready as we will ever be,” he added.

The poll official said the start of the campaign period shall “overwhelm” their city and municipal election officers.

“With more than 18,000 positions in contention, you are looking at several thousands of candidates at play. You can tell that within two hours, our personnel will already be overwhelmed,” he said.

“Mathematically speaking, we will be outmatched,” added the official.

Jimenez said they are capable of handling the campaign period for local candidates, especially if the public will help them monitor the candidates.

The campaign period for candidates for members of House of Representatives, and provincial, city, and municipal officials is set to run from March 29 to May 11.

Among most common campaign violations are illegally placed or oversized posters and tarpaulins.

After targeting government hospitals, Comelec is eyeing local health centers as well as ambulances owned by local government units ( LGUs).

In her Twitter account, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said health centers and ambulances that are owned by LGUs should not have campaign materials beginning March 29.

“LGU ambulances must not have names or pictures of candidates. All candidates need not be given notices. They are violating election rules starting March 29,” said Guanzon.

The Comelec earlier directed the Department of Health (DOH) to remove all posters of “Malasakit Centers” bearing the face and name of senatorial candidate Bong Go from state-run hospitals. DMS