Comelec urges local officials: Minimize political propaganda

The Commission on Elections has urged local officials who are seeking for reelection in the May 14 electoral exercise to minimize their "political propaganda."

In yesterday's 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza, Comelec assistant regional director Veronico Petalcorin told reporters that incumbent officials cannot be charged of premature campaigning because they have not yet filed their certificate of candidacy.

Instead of spending too much on political propaganda, he said local officials should concentrate on implementing more projects and programs.

"Ang amo ra gyud mahimo mao ang paghangyo nila nga i-minimize (ang political propaganda)." Petalcorin said.

Comelec regional director Rene Buac said incumbent officials have "moral obligations" to the public by refraining from doing political propaganda.

Buac stressed that as long as the incumbent officials have not yet filed their certificate of candidacy, they cannot be charged of electioneering for their perceived political propaganda.

The other day, sportsman Jonathan Guardo described the distribution of 34,000 Philhealth cards by Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his political allies as "cheap political propaganda."

"Sigi ra man na nila gibuhat unya ilabi na ron nga nagsingabot na ang eleksiyon. Ang mga tawo nasuko na aning sistemaha nga dunay health insurance kun mangsingabot nga eleksiyon," said Guardo, who is running for Congress against incumbent city south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco.

But Cuenco denied allegations that they are giving PhilHealth cards for political gimmick, saying that they are only distributing the health insurance cards on behalf of President Gloria Arroyo and Senator Serge Osmeña.

Meanwhile, Comelec urged qualified voters in the May 14 elections to check their names on the voter's list as early as March to find out their respective precinct number and polling place.

In its Resolution No. 7707, the Comelec said the posting of certified list of voters is set for February 13.

At the same forum yesterday, Buac said they have already cleaned about 95 percent of the voter's list in the region.

The Comelec will furnish every voter with a Voter's Information Sheet, which contains the voter's name, address, precinct, simplified instructions on how to cast votes, a sample ballot and a list of all national and local candidates.

Buac explained that voters should not wait for election day to look for their names and room assignments because polling places would be crowded during that time.

Petalcorin admitted that they lack wide information dissemination to voters and are just relying on press statements.

Petalcorin cited for example the fact that the people were not concerned about the December 31 registration deadline for the new voters. He added that whether there are still many qualified voters who failed to register for the coming elections, it is already impossible for them to conduct a special registration.

The law bans the registration of voters within 120 days before the scheduled election. - Ramil V. Ayuman and Gregg M. Rubio