With the campaign period having officially started for local officials, the Commission on Elections can finally enforce its rules on fair campaigning on all candidates that it has been unable to do so in the past months because of the election law loophole that conveniently allows candidates to blatantly campaign prematurely without consequences.
To be fair, Filipinos are still hopeful that the Comelec can still regulate the anarchy of the campaign period for both local and national posts, starting with the display of campaign posters only in designated areas, to the use of social media, and even the misuse of state resources for partisan purposes.
As far as posters are concerned, the poll body has made it clear that such campaign materials should be removed by the candidates who could face charges. The only places where posters should be allowed are designated common poster areas and on private property, with permission of the owner of course. Comelec’s Oplan Baklas is supposed to remove these now-illegal eyesores, and the threat of charges or disqualification should also deter even more unwanted posters from popping up to replace those that have been taken down. It would be interesting to see if the posters do disappear now that action can finally be taken.
Aside from posters, there is also the prohibition against candidates from taking credit, whether in person or through campaign materials, for state-funded ayuda distribution. This will need increased vigilance and enforcement of the Comelec and the government agencies involved in such distributions.
It will also be interesting to see if the Comelec can fare better when it comes to curtailing the well-established practice of vote buying and selling, which remains one of the main drivers of corruption in this country, as so-called public servants who spend so much to buy votes must find ways to earn back their investment.
Let us wish the Comelec the best of luck as it finally takes charge of the country’s electoral process, one of the most important aspects of any working democracy. Hopefully it can finally start outsmarting the candidates this year.*
