Don’t politicize Nazarene’s Traslacion, Comelec tells poll bets

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminds political aspirants to refrain from politicizing the upcoming Traslacion 2025 next month, or the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Citing Comelec Chair George Garcia, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. pointed out on Monday that the Traslacion is a religious event and should not be used for politics.

“Our agency and chairman are reminding aspirants and candidates not to use religious events for politics, especially on January 9 or during Traslacion,” Maceda said in Filipino in an ambush interview.

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Although everyone is allowed to help during the occasion, he told aspirants to refrain from bringing materials bearing their faces or names, such as shirts, which could potentially add to the trash usually left by devotees.

“Don’t use the event to add to the trash or distribute shirts with your faces instead of the Nazarene’s,” Maceda said.

Every January 9, the Black Nazarene image undergoes Traslacion, commemorating its first parade in 1767.

This is over a month before the 90-day campaign period — from February 11 to May 10, 2025 — for national candidates or those seeking seats in the Senate and party-list posts.

On the other hand, local candidates, including for district representation in the House, will have 45 days to campaign, from March 28 to May 10, 2025.