Campaign period

EDITORIAL

The “campaign period” in the local level officially started on March 29 and candidates of all stripes have started to make their pitches to win in the midterm May elections.

The “election period” for the coming midterm elections on May 23 officially began last Jan. 13.   From that day until June 12,   the Commission on Elections said, candidates are banned from unauthorized use of bodyguards and use of private armies. Government offices are banned from transferring employees in the civil service and suspending elective officials. The Comelec itself is banned from altering or creating new precincts.

The Comelec has also started setting  up checkpoints  because the election period also  includes a gun ban, the carrying of firearms outside the home even if one has a permit to carry a firearm issued by the Philippine National Police.

On the other hand, the “campaign period” began Feb. 12 for candidates with a national constituency – for senators and for party-list congressmen. Like we said, the campaign period for local candidates, such as governors, mayors, and district congressmen, began last Friday (March 29.)

But many candidates have long been campaigning in total disregard of these designated periods. A Supreme Court decision in 2013 said that there is no  law against premature campaigning as RA 9369 provides that “unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a candidate shall take effect only upon the start of the aforesaid campaign period….”

Posters and tarpaulins are appearing now on streets. Projects are being inaugurated, surveys are being led, opinion of all kinds are being offered by some noted personage who happens to be running for office.

The Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources has warned against such acts as nailing  posters on trees, but this is because this is a violation of environmental laws.

There may be a need to  clear up all the laws and regulations to put order and reason in  Philippine elections. It is now campaign season but on hindsight, there is need to  ban premature campaigning in the interest of leveling the playing field, as rich  candidates are now able to make themselves more visible than poor ones. The present law certainly needs revising, according to concerned individuals and groups.

Actually, campaigning in the Philippines is a year-round affair. The campaigning to look good begins on day one of the term of office. There is nothing wrong with doing one’s duties well in a manner that the constituents will appreciate and may reward with reelection.

After the May elections, they is need to simplify matters like distinguishing an “election period” from a “campaign period,” each one with its own set of bans. All the prohibitions during one definite period at election time may well be stated in one simple law to avoid confusion.