MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) are eyeing to send a show cause order against four candidates for allegedly violating the campaigning ban during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said in an interview with radio station DZBB that those being investigated for alleged campaign violation were three local candidates and another party list group.
“Noong Huwebes at Biyernes, meron tayong mga na-monitor,” said Garcia, who added that the poll body received “massive” reports about candidates who allegedly used the religious period to campaign.
“’Yan ang kaagad nating patitignan at aalamin sa ating mga local Comelec sapagkat may bago kasi tayong pamamaraan syempre ng pangangampanya,” he added.
“Naglatag po talaga [ang] madaming kandidato sa social media naman. ‘Yun bang kanilang mga social media accounts, doon talaga sila nagpakilala nang sobra. So ang katanungan ay kung ‘yan ba ay paglabag sa ating pinagbabawal na mangampanya sa Huwebes Santo at Biyernes Santo,” he further said.
Garcia also stated that the poll body was also looking into an alleged vote-buying incident in Quezon City.
“Bukas na bukas, talagang papaimbestigahan natin ‘yan dahil parang may namimigay din ng card. Parang ATM card ‘yung ipinamimigay at inaalam natin kung ito ba ay paraan ng vote buying,” he said.
Garcia has previously cautioned candidates that engaging in campaign activities, including providing food and beverages following the Pabasa, as well as arranging games or basketball tournaments, is not allowed during Holy Week.
Any breaches of this campaign prohibition could be considered election offenses, which are subject to penalties as outlined in Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code./PN
