ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has prohibited all candidates in the May 9 national and local elections from campaigning this Maundy Thursday (April 14) and Good Friday (April 15).
This Lenten break should instead be used by the candidates for deep reflection, attend church services or spend time with their families, according to Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, regional director of Comelec.
The prohibition is contained in Comelec Resolution No. 10730 (Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as the Fair Election Act).
According to Balisado, candidates may join church services but “they should avoid wearing campaign t-shirts kasi magsuot ka noon you will be associated na nagka-campaign na rin.”
Erring candidates may be disqualified.
“Mahirap na baka ma-document ka pa. It might be a ground na ma-file-an ka nang kaso kasi ‘yong campaigning naman kahit wala kang ginagawa pero suot mo yong shirt, di ba? They should really restrain themselves from doing things that might be misconstrued as campaigning kasi mawawala ‘yong essence ng pag-attend ng activities natin sa simbahan kun sa araw na ‘yon ay suot-usot pa rin ang campaign t-shirt. Maka-generate kasi tayo ng attention,” added Balisado.
He also said candidates may distribute bottled water during Lenten processions but this should be done without fanfare.
“I don’t see any problem provided na discreet ang pagbigay. So, magbigay ng tubig, bigay lang, walang fanfare, walang nakalagay na galing sa candidates,” Balisado added./PN
