Campaign stunts’ proliferation ahead of election season saddens Garcia
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia leads the agency’s Operation Baklas along Recto Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
(File photo from GABRIEL P. LALU / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia has expressed dismay over the campaign stunts being perpetrated by many political aspirants to get the attention of voters.
He is referring to aspirants whose posters are already hanging on big billboards and displayed on public utility vehicles ahead of the campaign season.
“Syempre, nakakadismaya. Talagang ako na personally, mag-e-express ako ng pagka-dismaya,” he blurted in an ambush interview.
(Of course, I am dismayed. I am really personally expressing dismay.)
However, after sharing his personal sentiment on the matter, Garcia reiterated that this is allowed by the law.
Article continues after this advertisement“Kaya lang, pinapayagan kasi ng batas. At dahil pinapayagan ng batas, legal yan,” he lamented.
Article continues after this advertisement(But the law allows this, so that’s legal.)
“Kung yan man ay immoral or unethical eh iba pong usapan yon,” the Comelec chair pointed out.
(Whether or not it is immoral or unethical, that is a different story.)
“Ang pangalawang katanungan: Meron bang punishment kung sa tingin nila ay mali? Wala po sapagkat pinapayagan nga ng batas dahil hindi pa nga po sila kandidato,” Garcia explained.
(The second question is – Will there be punishment if they think this is wrong? The answer is none since the law allows it because they are not yet candidates.)
“The law may be harsh but that is the law. You may not accept what the law is but that is the law. We are still a government of law, so not of men,” he reiterated.
No action yet from Congress
In a Viber message to INQUIRER.net, Garcia also explained that there is “no premature campaigning in an automated election per the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Peñera vs Comelec.”
Based on the SC ruling, aspirants only become candidates once the official campaign period starts.
This is on February 11 for the national candidates and March 28 for the local candidates.
“We had been pushing for the amendment of the law Republic Act 9369. However, no action yet from Congress,” Garcia told reporters.
The Comelec chief said the poll body is specifically seeking a “prohibition against premature campaigning in automated elections.”
