2010 candidates advised against electioneering

MANILA, Philippines - The filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) by those running in the 2010 local and national polls starts today, with an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) advising candidates against electioneering.

“After filing your COCs, you are covered by premature campaigning (offense),” said Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento.

Sarmiento urged aspiring candidates to read Section 79 of the Omnibus Election Code that lists five prohibited acts on premature campaigning and partisan political activity.

The poll official also advised candidates to bring down their tarpaulins or streamers in public places “the moment they file their COCs.”

“These should be removed because this could provide ammunition to opposing candidates to file a complaint for election offense. This can lead to your disqualification,” he noted.

Sarmiento urged candidates to ensure a peaceful election by disbanding their armed groups “if you care for our country.”

“Finally, because we want a greener country, a greener Philippines, I think our candidates should carefully study the kind of materials they use (in their campaign). They should minimize the use of paper and plastics or tarpaulins,” he added.

The Comelec, he maintained, is bracing for legal actions that might arise from the lull between the period for the filing of COCs by candidates for president, vice president, senators, district congressmen and local posts and the filing of manifestation of intent to run by party-list organizations.

“Unlike in the past elections, now there is lull between the deadline of the filing and the start of the campaign. There might be some confusion there, especially on the issue of premature campaigning... The Comelec is bracing for this,” he said.

For the 2010 polls, the period for the filing of COCs and manifestation runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The campaign period for the national polls is from Feb. 9 to May 8, 2010, while for local election it is from March 26 to May 8, 2010.

In previous elections, candidates could start campaigning the day after the filing of COCs ended.

Sarmiento added that in case former President Joseph Estrada joins the presidential race, the Comelec might also have to contend with legal issues on whether or not he is qualified to run for president again.

He maintained the Comelec is also bracing for the influx of nuisance candidates expected to swamp its offices and appealed to them not to file their COCs anymore if they feel they are not eligible to seek an elective post.

“Please don’t make a mockery of our election system. If you just want (instant) fame, don’t file your COCs.”

The poll official, however, assured candidates that all Comelec offices are prepared to accept the COCs and manifestations. “It’s all systems go.”

Yesterday, 63-year-old Raymundo Calsada Limbre, a seeming nuisance candidate from Tondo, Manila went to the Comelec central office to inquire about the filing.

Limbre claimed that he would run for senator under the Alpha Omega 9-K Aklat ng Buhay Inc. political party to help the poor.

He said the Philippines could not rise from poverty because of the corrupt practices of government officials.