BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Negros Occidental officer, Atty. Ian Lee Anonoria, said yesterday they do not yet have any jurisdiction over all candidates until the local and national campaign period begins.
According to Anonoria, they can regulate activities during the campaign period, but prior to that, “it is part of their constitutional right to freedom of expression”.
“Candidates can still put up billboards, posters, streamers, advertisements and conduct campaign activities without being subjected to Comelec rules,” he explained.
He said the candidates’ activities cannot be considered premature campaigning unless the law is amended.
Anonoria said those who filed their certificates of candidacy are not yet considered official candidates but “aspirants.”
They will only be called such when the campaign period starts on Feb. 8 for national officials, and March 25 for the local, with the campaign period ending on May 7./PN