Comelec to public: 'Use social media vs premature campaigning'

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the public yesterday to use social media to stop politicians from engaging in premature campaigning.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the public should “get back” at politicians by posting photos of their campaign materials on social media.

“Might I suggest taking and posting pictures of political epal-ness?” Jimenez posted on his Twitter account. Epal is slang for “mapapel” that means attention grabber. 

Jimenez said the public would likely see posters of politicians hanging in different areas long before the start of the campaign period and can help in preventing premature campaigning in the absence of a law against it.

“Those actions are definitely premature campaigning. Unfortunately, as of now, the law does not provide any penalty for that,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez earlier said all would-be candidates are likely to take advantage of every single social event imaginable to campaign.

During the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Jimenez said politicians normally place tarpaulins near memorial parks and cemeteries to greet the public.

The Comelec previously said that almost all major senatorial candidates have begun openly campaigning despite the campaign period for national polls only starting in February.

Jimenez said politicians should have the delicadeza not to undertake campaign activities yet.