Comelec powerless in going after 'epal' politicians, but...

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may be powerless for now in going after politicians and government officials engaged in early campaigning, but it may get back at them through strict implementation of rules on campaign contributions and expenditures once the official campaign period starts.

In a meeting with anti-“epal” advocates yesterday, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes noted that under “existing laws and jurisprudence,” there is nothing illegal with premature campaigning which is being equated by critics to the “epal” practice.

“Epal” is short for “mapapel,” referring to those who try very hard to promote themselves.

“Right now we cannot do anything. But when we reach the campaign period, it is where we come in. Because it is where we can now enforce the law,” he said.

The campaign period for the 2013 polls starts on Feb. 12 for senatorial and party-list candidates, and March 29 for local and congressional bets.

The anti-“epal” advocates have asked the Comelec to stop the proliferation of streamers, billboards, posters and even relief goods packages bearing the names and photographs of government officials and politicians.

Vincent Lazatin, co-founder of “No More Epal Campaign,” said, “They are overdoing it. If you look at the extent that this is happening – you’ve got politicians putting their names on relief foods, official receipts, backpacks and anything that they can put their stickers on – this is really ridiculous.”

Brillantes said since the Supreme Court had decriminalized premature campaigning, the Comelec could no longer act against electioneering.

“My own observation is this, this is personal to me – ‘epal’ is more of a benefit to those who are in government. That is the problem, the incumbents are the ones who gain from this. Those who are new in politics are having a hard time competing. They cannot get ahead of the incumbent,” he said.

But the Comelec chief told the group not to be discouraged because when the campaign period starts, the poll body will strictly implement the rules on campaign propaganda.

“It’s strict enforcement – where you can put posters, what are the limitations, what are the sizes. We will regulate all of these,” he said.

Brillantes assured them the Comelec intends to implement the full force of the law on campaign contributions and expenditures.

“We are going to be more strict on the implementation of campaign finance laws based on Republic Act No. 9006. We are already in this process. In fact months before, we have already been sitting down on campaign finance rules,” he said.

RA 9006 or the Fair Elections Act sets limits on how much a candidate could spend in the campaign.

Lazatin said with premature campaigning decriminalized, they would take the proposal of election lawyer Romulo Macalintal to apply the rules on unjust vexation and anti-littering in going after “epal” politicians and government officials.

“That is an option for us... Definitely we will use them to make sure that they will start removing their signs with names and images in public places,” he added.