Local campaign period kicks off

CEBU, Philippines - The 45-day campaign period for the local polls begins today with a call from the Commission on Elections for local candidates to observe election laws and regulations.

A total of 49,996 candidates are vying for the 17,874 local seats up for grab in the coming polls.

This breaks down as 222 for congressman, 80 for governors, 80 for vice governors, 762 for provincial board members, 120 for city mayors, 120 for city vice mayors, 1,514 for municipal mayors, 1,514 for municipal vice mayors, 1,346 for city councilors and 12,116 for municipal councilors.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 5758 implementing Republic Act 9006 of the Fair Elections Act, billboards should measure five by eight feet while posters should not exceed three by five feet.

But Sarmiento noted these campaign materials should be placed in the “common poster areas” identified by election officers in the field.

Comelec provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano asked local candidates to drop by his office or send a campaign staff for them to be guided of the designated common posters area.

 Castillano said that local candidates should be aware of the Dos and Don’ts in the campaign as mandated by the Fair Election Practices Act.

He reiterated to the local candidates that campaigning during the Holy Thursday and Good Friday are prohibited under the rules, saying violators could be charged with an election offense and face disqualification.

While it is prohibited under the rules to campaign during those days, he said candidates are not barred from sponsoring religious activities.

He said handshaking is not prohibited for candidates at religious activities.

Also under the Fair Elections Law, candidates for local positions can spend P5 per voter, to which a candidate’s party can add P3 toward his campaign.

 They are likewise limited to an hour of television airtime and an hour and a half of radio airtime per station.

 Candidates are allowed only to post streamers and posters of certain sizes in areas designated by the Comelec. Posters made of cloth, paper or cardboard should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet in size. Streamers should not go over the mandated size of 3 feet by 8 feet.

 Posting of campaign materials in public places such as streets, bridges, public buildings, trees, electric posts and wires, schools, shrines and main avenues is prohibited.

Like the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan, the Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug) headed by mayoralty aspirant Alvin Garcia will have no fanfare during the first day of the campaign period.

Garcia said he and the other Kusug candidates for vice mayor, congressman and councilors will attend a Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 9:30 a.m.

Two hours earlier, BOPK candidates will also attend a Mass at the cathedral. 

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said their first day of campaign will be simple, but said all BOPK candidates will work hard in conducting nightly pulong-pulongs and early morning hand-shaking in barangays.

The One Cebu Party of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will start its campaign today with a Mass in Dumanjug town, the hometown of the governor.

Garcia and her runningmate Glenn Soco will attend the 8:30 Mass at the Dumanjug Parish Church.

One Cebu invited administration presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro and Nacionalista Party vice presidential bet Loren Legarda to join in its inaugural campaign today.

Garcia maintained that she is supporting Teodoro despite his lowest ratings in surveys. Her announcement was contrary to reports that she may shift support to NP standard bearer Manny Villar.

Legarda is courting the support of One Cebu.

Tomorrow, Teodoro will be at a gathering at the Cebu International Convention Center. He will also have an interview with Bert Emphasis at dyLA from 8 to 8:30 a.m.

From Dumanjug, Garcia and her party will proceed to Ronda town to campaign. From there, they will then proceed to Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan, Santander, Oslob, Boljoon, Alcoy and Argao.

Argao is the hometown of Garcia rival, Hilario Davide III.

 The Cebu City Police Office said it is ready for the local campaign period.

CCPO director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said policemen will patrol and conduct checkpoints in different areas of the city from today to prevent any election-related incidents.

Comendador said that any election-related complaints will be immediately reported to the Comelec.

He also reminded his men to remain neutral and avoid wearing shirts bearing the names of candidates.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Erson Digal directed all police chief in the province to secure local candidates.

Digal also said that politicians are welcome to campaign in police stations. — With Jose P. Sollano, Rene U. Borromeo, Niña G. Sumacot, Gabriel C. Bonjoc and LPM(FREEMAN NEWS)