During the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, Comelec Spokesperson lawyer Gay Enumerables said election campaign is temporarily suspended in observance of the Holy Week, specifically Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
“It’s an election offense because it’s considered as tigpahulay na bawal ang campaigning (time of rest wherein campaigning is not allowed). So kung naay mag reklamo, pwede siya as kaso (If someone will complain, we can file a case against the candidate),” Enumerables said.
The temporary campaign suspension is implemented nationwide under Comelec Resolution No. 10730, which states it is unlawful to campaign on said dates.
Meanwhile, Enumerables said Comelec’s “Oplan Baklas” is currently ongoing in Davao City.
Oplan Baklas refers to the initiative of Comelec to dismantle oversized campaign posters and materials placed in restricted areas in public spaces.
However, Enumerables said campaign materials that were taken down were quickly replaced with new ones the following day.
“I think pag kuha mag gud ana, pagkagabii ana, pulihan na pud. Mao gyod na and problems nato,” she said.
(Once we take it down, they replace it immediately. That’s the problem we’re facing.)
She added, “I don’t think ang mga kandidato pod and nagsugo ani, kasagaran ang mga supporters nga kadlawon mag pilit (the candidates are the ones instructing this. It’s usually the supporters).”
The Comelec spokesperson appealed to campaign supporters and candidates to refrain from installing campaign materials that go against the guidelines set by the agency.
