ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reiterates its call to the candidates for the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to adhere to campaign rules. This follows the issuance of show-cause orders to eight candidates in this city for alleged premature campaigning.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code specifies that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether a voter or candidate or any party or association of persons, to engage in election campaigning or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”
The campaign period for the Oct. 30 barangay and SK elections is from Oct. 19 to 28.
City Comelec Assistant Election Officer Jonathan Sayno disclosed that on Thursday, Sept. 21, show-cause orders were served to six barangay and two SK candidates, all of whom hail from the same barangay and party or group.
“We served show-cause orders for them to respond to the complaint regarding alleged premature campaigning through Facebook postings,” Sayno told Panay News on Friday.
They have been given three days, until Sunday, Sept. 24, to submit a written explanation addressed to the Comelec central office.
Sayno clarified that the Comelec central office receives the complaints, so the candidates must directly respond or explain to the central office. The city or provincial election offices were only informed via a memorandum to serve a copy of the show-cause order.
The Comelec central office has established Task Force Kontra Epal to address premature campaigning, headed by Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) director Nick Mendros.
According to Sayno, failing to respond would be seen as an admission of guilt regarding the violation.
“It’s as if they waived their right to file a case with the Law Department of the Comelec central office because they were asked to explain, but they chose not to,” he added.
In light of this, candidates were reminded not to take actions that could violate election rules.
Sayno emphasized, “We should observe and adhere to campaign rules. We should refrain from posting campaign materials, distributing them, or placing them in public spaces that promote the candidacy of any candidate because the Comelec is serious about enforcing the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.”
City Comelec data indicates a total of 6,760 candidates from 180 barangays.
Premature campaigning involves acts meant “to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates for public office” before the official campaign period. This includes various actions like forming organizations, holding political events, making speeches, publishing campaign materials, and directly or indirectly soliciting votes for or against a candidate.
The public can submit their complaints either through the committee’s email at 2023bske.prematurecampaigning@comelec.gov.ph or on the Comelec Task Force Against Premature Campaigning Facebook page.
Complaints should include the candidate’s name, the position they are running for, the barangay, and the town. Providing the candidate’s email address is ideal. Complaints may or may not be notarized, and notarized complaints will be promptly referred to the Comelec law department for further investigation.
Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan emphasized that premature campaigning would also be treated as an election offense, with candidates disregarding this liable for election code violations. Violations may result in imprisonment of at least one year to six years, deprivation of the right to suffrage, or even perpetual disqualification from holding public office, depending on the court’s decision.
Ausan urged candidates to campaign only during the designated campaign period, which is from Oct. 19 to 28, to avoid violating election laws and rules.
Candidates were also encouraged to visit Comelec field offices for guidance on the dos and don’ts during the election period. (With a report from Rappler)/PN
