Rama cautious of Supreme Court's decision allowing premature campaigning

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama is unconvinced that they can already campaign after the filing of their certificate of candidacy despite the new ruling of the Supreme Court about premature campaigning.

It was earlier reported that SC in a 9-5 voting has voided section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code on premature campaigning as it ruled that it cannot be applied for the May 10, 2010 automated elections.

The automation law states that “any person who files his certificate of candidacy within (the filing) period shall only be considered a candidate at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy.”

City Election Officer Marchel Sarno accorded the SC ruling though he admitted that there might be flaws in the law.

“Sakto man nang decision sa Supreme Court kay mao man na ang intent sa balaud though naa siguroy flaw ana pero mao gyud ang tumong sa balaud,” Sarno said.

But the vice mayor said that until the Comelec can come out an en banc resolution adopting the SC decision, they can’t be too sure about it.

“Unya nag-en banc na sila (Comelec), naghatag na ba sila og unsa gyud and how they are interpreting that Supreme Court’s decision?” Rama stressed.

He explained that the reason why there are conflicting opinions about the law because the Comelec failed to come up with one stand. “That’s why there is conflict because many are bringing their own views even before their bosses have made their own views.”

The vice mayor advises candidates, especially to those who already filed their CoCs to be careful on early campaigning. It was learned that members of BOPK are regularly holding their “pulong-pulong” in the different barangays of the city.

BOPK candidates, however, have not filed their CoCs yet. But Mayor Tomas Osmeña disclosed that they will submit their CoCs tomorrow to the city Comelec after attending the Holy Mass with their allies and supporters. — Elly Bolonos/WAB       (FREEMAN NEWS)