1 month ago
5
Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star
February 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — At least five senatorial candidates have been consistently violating rules on campaign posters, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday.
“There are five senatorial candidates who are consistently violating rules in each region, they do not follow rules on (poster) size, where to post and what environment friendly materials they can use,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
He declined to name the candidates but stressed that the Comelec will issue a notice to remove the illegal campaign materials, which the candidates have to comply with within three days from receipt of notice.
If the candidates fail to comply, the Comelec would recommend the filing of an election offense and disqualification complaint against the candidate, Garcia said.
Every day, he said, the Comelec is monitoring compliance with campaign rules.
However, Garcia said the Comelec cannot remove all the illegal posters, thus they are directing the candidates to voluntarily take them down or face charges.
Impartiality
Despite serving for years in President Marcos’ bailiwick of Ilocos, newly appointed Comelec Commissioner Noli Rafol Pipo assured the public of impartiality.
Pipo took his oath of office before Garcia yesterday after being appointed to replace retired commissioner Marlon Casquejo.
Pipo served as provincial election supervisor of Ilocos Norte when Marcos was the governor. However, Pipo said Marcos did not meddle with them.
“When they call us, their only concern is peace and order. They do not meddle with our staff. The Marcoses are not like that,” Pipo said.
“That’s why I feel comfortable that I was appointed by the President,” he added.
Pipo admitted that he has been receiving criticism for his appointment because he came from the Ilocos region.
However, he said he will respect the decision of the Commission on Appointments and he will answer questions based on his long experience in the field.
To her critics, newly appointed poll Commissioner Norina Casingal said she only complied with the process and the law in coming out with the decision as director of the legal department.
Garcia said the present Comelec has proven capable of doing their job without partiality even if most of their members are appointees of the President.
Garcia gave assurance that the seven members of the Commission shall be loyal to the country and the Constitution.
Tampering not possible
Comelec yesterday also maintained that the results of the May 2025 midterm cannot be manipulated.
Garcia said they have received reports that unscrupulous individuals and groups have been offering victory to candidates by using invisible shade on printed ballots.
“It means that there is a cuticle remover on the ballots. That will never happen. That is impossible,” Garcia said.
He said offers of poll victory to candidates are not new schemes and those syndicates have long been operating in various parts of the country.
Commissioner Aimee Ferolino urged candidates receiving offers of victory in the elections to come out and file complaints, in reaction to the arrest of information technology specialists who are guaranteeing victory for local candidates in exchange for P90 million.
She stressed that only the people’s vote can make a candidate win and that the automated counting machines to be used by the Comelec are 99 percent accurate.
Ban
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has reminded all government agencies to adhere to the existing ban on promotion, hiring and movement of personnel during the entire election period.
In a press statement, the CSC cited Comelec Resolution No. 10999 issued in May last year, detailing the calendar of events for the May 12 elections.
Under the subject resolution, transfer or reassignment of government personnel shall be banned from Jan. 12 to June 11 “without prior Comelec approval.”
Meanwhile, the hiring and promotion of personnel, including the creation or filling up of new positions and grant of salary increases or privileges, shall be suspended from March 28 to May 11.
“Exceptions apply only for essential roles requiring Comelec authorization,” the CSC said.
The Commission also said appointments made by outgoing officials post-election or until June 30 are considered invalid “unless compliant with legal conditions.”
“Violations may result in voided appointments or election offense charges,” the CSC warned.
The CSC had earlier issued a separate reminder for all government employees to refrain from engaging in partisan political activities amid the upcoming elections.
“No officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote,” CSC said in October last year during the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy, ahead of the start of the campaign period.
National Police Commission’s Rafael Vicente Calinisan yesterday also reminded police officers that they are prohibited from engaging in electioneering or any partisan political activity whether directly or indirectly.
“The PNP (Philippine National Police) must remain politically neutral and should not campaign for or against a political candidate,” he said in a statement.
Among the activities where police officers are prohibited are posting political content in their social media accounts and soliciting support for any political activity.
Calinisan warned PNP members they will be penalized if they are caught engaging in partisan politics.
While police officers have rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed under the 1987 Constitution, the Napolcom commissioner stressed these rights are limited by their obligation to maintain neutrality and avoid actions that could undermine the public’s perception that they are impartial.
With the first day of the campaign period relatively peaceful, the PNP urged candidates, their supporters and the public to do their part in upholding peace, order and the rule of law.
A total of 846 people have been arrested for violating the gun ban, a majority of whom are civilians, including four foreigners.
Meanwhile, at least 841 firearms and explosives were seized by police officers at security checkpoints and other law enforcement operations. – Elizabeth Marcelo, Emmanuel Tupas
