Antipolo poll bets warned vs premature campaigning

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February 8, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Aspiring congressional representatives for the second district of Antipolo City have been warned against engaging in premature campaign and misuse of public funds as preparations continue for the March 14 election, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that although the official campaign period would start on Feb. 12, the days between Feb. 7 and 12 are considered as a prohibited period for campaigning.

The campaign period will run until March 12.

In a manual election, once candidates file their COCs, they are considered candidates under the law,” Garcia said.

Unlike in an automated election, candidates are only officially recognized when the campaign period starts, he added. 

“If a candidate starts asking for votes, distributing goods or posting campaign materials before the campaign period, he can be disqualified for committing election offenses,” Garcia said.

He said the poll body would closely monitor campaign activities, particularly during prohibited days, noting that violators will face sanctions.

“We will not hesitate to disqualify. We have proven this in the past,” Garcia said.

The Comelec vowed to be watchful against misuse of public funds for campaign purposes.

Printing of ballots for the Antipolo election will start on the last day of the filing of COCs.

“We will verify, we will look at the ballots to ensure that these are clean, free from smudge, or if we need to repprint. In just five days, the ballot printing will be complete,” Garcia said.

The ballots will be secured by members of the packing and shipping committee before these are turned over to the Antipolo City Treasurer’s Office.

Other election materials will be distributed through the local Comelec office.

As of Friday, the second day of the COC filing, three candidates have filed their applications.

Once all COCs are submitted, the full list of official candidates will be published on the website of the Comelec for the benefit of voters.

Garcia confirmed that early voting hours will be allowed on election day, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., exclusively for senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disablity and other qualified voters.

The same arrangement will be applied during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Nov. 2.

In coordination with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, qualified and registered detainee-voters will be allowed to cast their ballots.