No basis yet to ban posting of early campaign materials

AN OFFICIAL of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disclosed that they have no basis yet to prohibit electoral candidates to post their “early campaign materials.”

Comelec Assistant Regional Director Felicisimo Embalsado said they are still waiting for the resolution from the Comelec en banc reprimanding candidates to post materials expressing their greetings to a particular event or occasion.

“The campaign period has not yet started so we do not have the basis to reprimand the candidates in posting any materials, and also we are to wait for a resolution from Comelec en banc matters pertaining to this,” Embalsado said.

Recently, candidates already visited people living in far–flung areas informing them about their “advocacies” and projects that the people will surely benefit.

It was known that the candidates also posted tarpaulins with the whole team of the political party, wearing their sweetest smiles. Some are using innocent children, adults and other less fortunate people in order to depict their good intentions for the people.

The campaign period for local candidates will start in March 29 while the campaign period for national bets starts in February 12.

Embalsado, however, clarified that upon release of the resolutions from Comelec en banc, the Comelec regional office will automatically act on it and will urged candidates to follow the allowed size of campaign paraphernalia on the campaign period.

Embalsado, meanwhile, advises the candidates to follow the laws and resolutions provided by the Comelec.

“To the candidates, you have to honestly observe whatever laws and resolutions that the Comelec en banc has to implement,” he said. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)