Filing of COCs starts today

CEBU, Philippines - The filing of Certificates of Candidacy for those wanting to be elected in the May 10, 2010 polls start today running until December 1, but the campaign period has not yet started.

This reminder was issued by an official of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) as he warned candidates about premature campaigning to avoid disqualification.

“I urge the candidates, who have already filed their COCs, to exercise extreme caution with their campaign materials, to avoid facing disqualification cases for premature campaigning,” said Comelec 7 Regional Attorney and Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano.

Castillano said that banners and posters of official candidates even if they are “directly” or “indirectly” promoting themselves could be ground enough for disqualification as stated in The Fair Election Act or RA 9006.

This could only however happen once a petition for such would be filed at their office, Castillano added.

Section 9 of The Fair Election Act states that the Comelec “may authorize political parties and party-list groups to erect common poster areas for their candidates in not more than ten (10) public places such as plazas, markets, barangay centers and the like, wherein candidates can post display or exhibit election propaganda: Provided, That the size of the poster areas shall not exceed twelve (12) by sixteen 16) feet or its equivalent.”

It also dictates that candidates “may post any lawful propaganda material in private places with the consent of the owner thereof, and in public places or property which shall be allocated equitably and impartially among the candidates.”Castillano said that those who are caught violating the rule could face early campaigning charges.

The Comelec official said that they are aware of the many posters and what could be gleaned as early campaign ads by politicians.

These ads, he said, may be promoting businesses or just a mere greeting from them, but once they become official candidates they should start removing these if they don’t want to face a disqualification case.

For national positions, the campaign period will be from February 9 to May 8, 2010, while for candidates for local positions can campaign on March 25 until to May 8.

Meanwhile, Castillano said they expect most of the politicians to flock to the Comelec offices on the last day of filing of COCs.

This has become a trend for the last many years politicians would rather play safe, as becoming official candidates would limit their movements, he said. – Liv Campo/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)