MANILA -- Two weeks before the campaign period of national candidates start, the poll body has reminded 2010 candidates of campaign rules to be implemented.

February 9 marks the day of election campaign of national candidates while the campaign of local candidates is set to begin on March 26.

“We want not the Comelec to scare them but we want the voters to scare the candidates... Ultimately the candidates are only answerable to the voters. That I think will be the most effective reminder to stay within the bounds of law,” said Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez.

He furthered that 2010 candidates already had a chance to introduce themselves and their platform to the public in different forms of media for the past several months even before the actual campaign period starts.

“We've had several months of free for all. We’ve had several months worth of plastering walls and avenues with their faces...They've had to chance to intrude on our nighttime programming. They've had the opportunity to remind us constantly why they are better than their opponents. Enough,” said Jimenez. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)