2 days ago
9
MANILA, Philippines — The 45-day local campaign period for the May elections officially began yesterday, with candidates across Metro Manila launching their bids through rallies, house-to-house campaigns and online promotions.
In Caloocan, Mayor Along Malapitan kicked off his campaign with a rally at Plaza Rizal after attending mass at San Roque Cathedral.
Meanwhile, mayoral aspirant Antonio Trillanes IV kicked off his campaign online, highlighting his platform and addressing allegations of corruption, including concerns over ghost job order employees.
Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, who held her proclamation rally last Wednesday, marked the campaign’s start by attending mass at San Bartolome Church.
Sandoval, seeking reelection, is running with Edward Co Nolasco, while her husband, former representative Ricky Sandoval, is vying for Congress.
Mayoral aspirant Jaye Lacson-Noel and her Serbisyong Buong Puso slate also launched their campaign with a mass at San Bartolome Church on Friday morning.
In Navotas, Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Rep. Toby Tiangco started their campaigns with house-to-house visits in their respective barangays.
Meanwhile, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian began his reelection campaign with a house-to-house tour across two districts in the city.
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, on the other hand, launched their campaigns at Pasig Mega Market, with support from Sotto’s celebrity parents Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes.
Speaking before a crowd of supporters, Vico, who is seeking his third and final term, highlighted the city’s achievements under his leadership and urged voters to remember their commitment to good governance.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and his slate, on the other hand, held their kickoff rally at Filoil EcoOil Arena after attending mass at Santuario del Santo Cristo Church. He is seeking reelection with Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili as his running mate.
Reminders
As the local campaign period began, reminders for candidates to follow election guidelines started pouring in.
For instance, candidates and political parties are reminded to register their online campaign platforms (OCPs), such as social media accounts, pages, websites and other digital platforms, with the Commission on Elections from March 28 to 31.
Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis explained that OCP registration is a new initiative aimed at improving transparency and accountability in digital election campaigns.
Applicants must use prescribed templates for required documents from the Comelec’s website (www.comelec.gov.ph), upload them to Google Drive and submit the links via a Google Form.
Hard copies of all documents, meanwhile, must be transmitted within five days of submission.
Think green
Comelec Chairman George Garcia and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes issued stern warnings against the illegal placement of campaign materials after their “Oplan Baklas” operation yesterday.
According to the two, numerous campaign posters, made of tarpaulin and paper, were found illegally posted on trees, electric posts, bridges, pedestrian footbridges and other non-designated areas, violating the poll body’s rules.
Garcia urged candidates to utilize designated common poster areas assigned by Comelec and “clear public spaces of unauthorized campaign paraphernalia.”
“We hope you can train your people on where to put or display your posters, what size is allowed because if you just let them do it their way, it will just be posted anywhere possible,” said Garcia.
“At the same time, don’t forget that the materials to be used should be environment-friendly,” he added.
Candidates who fail to comply within three days of receiving a removal order may face a show-cause order from the poll body, which could lead to disqualification, the poll chief warned.
The campaign materials collected yesterday will be turned over to the environmental group EcoWaste Coalition and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, according to Garcia.
Vote buying
In Misamis Oriental, election supervisor Carlito Ravelo reminded candidates to comply with the Fair Election Act and warned against vote buying as Comelec launched its “Kontra-Bigay” initiative in the province.
He confirmed that election offices in municipalities across the province are now monitoring compliance with Republic Act 9006, which aims to ensure fair elections.
At the Senate, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also issued a reminder on the importance of upholding electoral integrity and maintaining peace throughout the campaign period.
“Be vigilant, take action against violence and corruption – whether as law enforcement or citizens, we all have a duty to ensure a clean electoral process,” Gatchalian said.
So far, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said no untoward incident was reported by police units that disrupted the campaign activities of politicians across the country, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is known for violence during the elections.
To maintain peace, order and security during the campaign period, the PNP heightened its alert level and placed 75 percent of its 235,000-strong force on standby for deployment.
Follow the law
Malacañang, for its part, reminded bets to always follow election laws.
“Don’t violate the law. First and foremost, you are the ones who will serve as leaders, so you should be the ones to take the lead in obeying the law,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
The Palace press officer also reminded members of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to refrain from participating in any political activities, emphasizing that their duty is to remain loyal to the country and the Constitution.
“The PNP should remain apolitical, don’t let politicians use you, don’t let your emotions control your actions,” Castro said.
Aside from the candidates, the voters also received a notice from the Comelec.
It announced yesterday that voter information sheets (VIS) for the May elections will be distributed solely by Comelec personnel, not barangay or local government officials.
Garcia emphasized that each registered voter must receive their VIS from specially designated Comelec personnel who will carry official Comelec-issued identification cards.
According to the Comelec, 68,431,965 VIS documents have been printed, and the distribution process has already begun in Regions 10, 11, 12, 13 and the BARMM.
The VIS contains essential information such as the voter’s name, address, precinct number, voting instructions and a list of candidates.
As mandated under Republic Act 7904, these voter information sheets must be distributed to all registered voters at least 30 days prior to the election. — Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ghio Ong, Rhodina Villanueva, Gerry Lee Gorit
