Media told: Avoid interviewing COC filers

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged media to avoid interviewing people who have filed certificates of candidacy (COC) in a bid to promote fair election practices next year.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes appealed to television and radio stations and other forms of media to stop providing airtime to COC filers to avoid perception of early campaigning.

“I have the same call to TV/radio stations and media in general, in giving unnecessary exposure to select candidates in the guise of interviews,” said Brillantes in his Twitter account.

“Regardless of what you call it, it can readily be misinterpreted as indirect campaigning/implied endorsement,” he added.

Republic Act 9369 states that: “Any person, who files his certificate of candidacy, shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period.”

This was further established by the 2009 Supreme Court case of Penera vs Comelec, which paved the way for the removal of premature campaigning as an election offense.

He also reiterated the Comelec’s call to politicians to shun appearing in televisions, radios and even in advertisements.

“Out of delicadeza, prospective candidates, who filed their COCs, should refrain from indirect campaigning by appearing on TV, radio and in ads,” Brillantes said.

Earlier, the Comelec called on politicians to avoid engaging in premature campaigning by appearing in advertisements and putting up tarpaulins and billboards featuring their faces and names.

Meantime, the Comelec reminded the youth registered as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voters in 2010 that their registration will not be recognized in the 2013 polls.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the two listings are different from each other and cannot be transferred automatically.

“The Comelec reminds SK voters during the 2010 elections to register anew so they can vote in the next year’s elections,” he said.

“We call on the leadership of Sangguniang Kabataan Federations nationwide and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to help us in encouraging the youth, especially the SK voters of 2010, to register,” he added.

Records show that there were 2,459,520 registered SK voters aged between 15 to 17 years old in 2010.

Based on the 1987 Constitution, the right to vote in regular elections may be exercised by those who are at least 18 years old.

After a five-day suspension to give way for the filing of COCs last week, the nationwide registration for the 2013 polls resumed last Saturday.

The public may register from Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in all local Comelec offices and are advised to bring a valid ID.

The nationwide registration period is set to end on October 31. (HDT/Sunnex)