Campaigning starts Tuesday

THE 90-day campaign period for national candidates kicks off tomorrow, Feb. 11.

The period will end on May 10, two days before Election Day.

Campaigning will pause on April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday.

Allowed to campaign starting Tuesday are 156 party-list organizations and 66 senatorial candidates.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia reiterated over the weekend his warning to all candidates to strictly comply with the election laws on campaign expenditures to avoid possible disqualification and a jail term.

The 45-day campaign period for candidates in local election positions — members of the House of Representatives and regional, provincial, city and municipal officials) — will be from March 28 to May 10, excluding Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Garcia said all national and local candidates must, at the start of their campaign period, remove their campaign materials posted outside of designated common poster areas.

"It is only at the start of the campaign that candidates would be covered by the Comelec's campaign rules because of the Penera law," added Garcia, as he pointed out that the commission would assume jurisdiction over local candidates starting on March 28.

Under the Fair Elections Act (Republic Act 9006), Comelec must issue notices to violators, giving them three days to take down their illegal posters or face legal sanctions.

Owners of buses with illegal campaign posters are also liable for "posting election propaganda outside of common poster areas, public places or private without owner consent is unlawful during campaign period."

Garcia reminded candidates to file their statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days from election day.

Winning candidates found to have overspent during the campaign period may be removed from office even if they have already assumed office.

Candidates for senators, congressmen and local officials with no political party can only spend a maximum of P5 per registered voter. If supported by a political party, the limit is P3 per registered voter in the constituency.

Independent candidates are allowed to spend up to P5 per registered voter in their constituency.

Political parties are allowed to spend P5 per registered voter in the constituencies where they have official candidates. This amount is separate from the candidates' own spending limits.

Candidates are prohibited from accepting campaign contributions from foreign nationals and corporations, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and entities funded wholly or partly by the government.

Private corporations are allowed to donate, but contributions should be accounted for and must be reported to the Comelec. Certain sectors, such as those involved in public utilities or those that have contracts with the government, are prohibited from contributing.

Campaign contributions are regulated to avoid undue influence by wealthy individuals, corporations, or special interest groups.

Section 82 of the Omnibus Election Code and RA 10730 (Rules and Regulations Implementing the Fair Elections Act) also regulate election propaganda for print and broadcast media (radio and television).

Posters should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet in size. Streamers are allowed only for public meetings or rallies and should not exceed 3 feet by 8 feet in size.

They may be displayed for a maximum of five days before the event and must be taken down within 24 hours after.

Airtime limit

Airtime for radio and TV ads of national candidates is limited to 120 minutes per TV station and 180 minutes per radio station.

For local candidates, the airtime must not exceed 60 minutes per TV station and 90 minutes per radio station.

All media advertisements must bear the true identity of the candidate or political party.

Election propaganda in print, such as newspapers, magazines, or any publication, must not exceed one-fourth page for broadsheets and one-half page for tabloids. Frequency is limited to three times a week per newspaper, magazine, or other publication.

Online campaigning, which includes the use of legal, social media platforms, websites and blogs, is also allowed, provided that all paid political advertisements are reported to the Comelec.

Each candidate or party must register their official campaign websites and social media accounts with the Comelec.

Limits on paid online advertisements should follow the cost limitations set for traditional media.

Election propaganda can be displayed on private property with the consent of the owner, provided the materials comply with the size and content restrictions set by the Comelec.

The Comelec has also vowed to give equal opportunity to all election stakeholders on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other social media platforms as a form of campaigning.

Garcia said the use of AI deepfake is considered a misrepresentation, which is an election offense.

For this year's elections, Garcia said the Comelec would require candidates or political parties to report in their SOCE their use of social media influencers and use of celebrities in election campaigns, even if they were rendered for free or at no cost to the beneficiaries.

PNP

On Sunday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the PNP "remains steadfast in its duty to uphold peace and security. Any actions that incite violence, intimidate voters, or undermine the electoral process will be met with the full force of the law."

PNP Public Information Office Chief Col. Randulf Tuano said the PNP launched a 100-day security plan last week aimed at addressing potential threats, dismantling private armed groups, and maintaining order before, during, and after the elections.

Key measures under the plan include intensified operations against loose firearms and wanted criminals, proactive intelligence monitoring to prevent election-related violence, strategic police deployments in election areas of concern, and round-the-clock checkpoints and patrols in high-risk areas.

Marbil said safeguarding the integrity of the elections is a paramount priority and assured the public that the PNP will remain impartial and proactive in preventing any form of political violence.

"No political ambition should compromise public safety. The PNP will remain vigilant in ensuring that the elections are conducted peacefully, and those who attempt to disrupt this process through violence or intimidation will be held accountable," he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week extended Marbil's term as PNP chief beyond the May elections to ensure a credible electoral process.

The PNP, including all Police Regional Offices (PROs), National Support Units (NSUs), the PNP Corps of Officers, and PNPA Lakans, thanked the President for reaffirming his trust in Marbil's leadership.