ILOILO City – As the campaign period for the 2025 national and local elections approaches, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released reminders to ensure a responsible approach to campaigning.
The campaign period for candidates running for senator and party-list groups is set to begin on February 11 and will run until May 10.
Local candidates, on the other hand, will start their campaign on March 28 and end on May 10.
The release of these reminders aims to inform candidates, their supporters, and voters of the rules and regulations under Comelec Resolution No. 11086, providing clear guidelines on what is allowed and prohibited during the campaign period.
Campaign Only During Designated Periods
Campaigning is strictly prohibited outside the official campaign periods: February 11 to May 10 for national positions (senator and party-list groups), and March 28 to May 10 for local positions.
No campaigning is allowed on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (Eve of Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day).
Use of Lawful Election Propaganda
Campaign materials must adhere to the specifications set by law. This includes the size and type of materials, such as pamphlets, leaflets, posters, and streamers.
The maximum size for a poster is two feet by three feet, while streamers should not exceed three feet by eight feet.
Print and broadcast advertisements must comply with the requirements under Section 11 of Comelec Resolution 11085.
Adherence to Advertising Limitations
Television advertisements for local candidates are limited to 60 minutes per station, while radio ads cannot exceed 90 minutes per station.
Print ads are also subject to size restrictions: one-fourth of a broadsheet page and one-half of a tabloid page.
Environmentally Sustainable Campaign Materials
Candidates are encouraged to use recyclable and environmentally friendly materials in their campaigns.
All printed materials should carry the message, “This material should be recycled or disposed of responsibly.”
They must also comply with local laws regarding the use of plastics and other hazardous materials.
Campaign Spending Limits
Candidates must adhere to the spending limits set by Comelec. The maximum amount a candidate can spend for the entire campaign is P3 per registered voter for those belonging to a political party, and P5 per registered voter for independent candidates or candidates not supported by a political party.
Authorized Poster Areas
Campaign materials can only be posted in designated common poster areas. These areas should be set up by candidates and parties specifically for displaying campaign materials.
The number of poster areas allowed per barangay depends on the number of registered voters: one area for barangays with 5,000 voters or fewer, and an additional area for every additional 5,000 voters.
Election officers are tasked with posting the list of common poster areas in visible locations.
Group campaign materials in common poster areas must also adhere to specified dimensions:
* for political parties and party-list groups – 12 feet by 16 feet or equivalent and must not exceed 192 square feet in total
* for independent candidates – 4 feet by 6 feet and must not exceed 24 square feet in total
Prohibition of Vote Buying and Selling
The Comelec warns against vote buying and selling, which includes offering or promising money, goods, or public or private jobs in exchange for votes. This also extends to efforts to encourage voters to abstain from voting or to vote for or against a particular candidate.
Comelec also reminds candidates and parties to remove their campaign materials right after the election.
All candidates (winners and non-winners) required, too, to submit to the Comelec their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) on or before June 11, 2025.
Candidates and parties must also comply with all rules and regulations regarding the use of social media, artificial intelligence, and internet technology in digital election campaigns, including the registration of social media accounts, disclosure of artificial intelligence (AI) usage, and avoidance of all prohibited acts.
According to the Comelec, violating the Fair Election Act and its Rules and Regulations will serve as the basis for election offenses, which carry penalties under Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
Any person proven to have violated the OEC will face the following penalties:
* imprisonment of no less than one year but not exceeding six years, without the possibility of probation
* disqualification from holding public office and loss of the right to vote/PN
