PROVINCIAL Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said Wednesday that public officials seeking reelection in 2010 have been told to do campaign "in cognito" and "not openly" to avoid opponents' accusations.

The Comelec has amended through an order extending the filing of candidacy from November 20 to December 1, which was originally scheduled in November 22-30.

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Time allotted for the November 20-31 filing day is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while for the December 1 starts at 8 a.m. to midnight, Suarez said.

Comelec will serve candidates in their filing even on weekends and holidays.

Suarez said the moment an official files his candidacy he is considered official candidate and should not take advantage of indulging into pre-campaign activities as this would cause reason for disqualification.

Comelec sets March 26 as the campaign period but Suarez however said it will not, as there are no regulating Comelec rules, preventing any incumbent official in rendering the delivery of services for it is considered a "privilege" on them.

But they should be careful in doing certain activities, especially when there is no cause to show at certain occasion in the community, he told the incumbents.

"Because if they do not observe it, it will open to floodgates of accusations," he said.

Meanwhile, for those officials who have pending cases are considered resigned based on the ruling of the Fair Election Act.

During the month of December which is celebrated annually by the Christian community as a way of brotherhood ties, Suarez opined that incumbents are most privilege to participate in any undertaking as there is no law the prohibits them.

"But they just have to keep in mind not to campaign for a vote," he said, adding that in the absence of a guideline, Comelec cannot rule on the matter.

Although admittedly he said that literally there is "inequalities" between incumbent's privilege and the new candidate, but however Suarez said a challenger candidate may still run after an incumbent should one has committed "malice" that connotes campaigning perhaps will subject an incumbent for a Comelec ruling. (GMD)