‘LP may violate election laws with premature proclamation’

MANILA, Philippines - The administration Liberal Party (LP) may be committing an election offense with its “premature” proclamation of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II as its standard-bearer in next year’s elections.

This was according to election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who stressed that the law specifically sets a timetable for pre-election activities like proclamation of candidates.

In a statement, Macalintal said the actual date of the 2016 elections can be considered not yet final because “we are not yet sure of what electoral system will be implemented by the Commission on Elections, whether manual or automated.”

“While premature campaigning is not prohibited, there is such thing as prohibited premature political meeting or convention to nominate their candidates,” he added.

Under Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code governing manual election, political parties may hold political conventions or meetings to nominate their official candidates within 30 days before the commencement of the campaign period, and 45 days for presidential and vice-presidential elections.

Section 13 of Republic Act 9369 or the automation law, on the other hand, states that political parties may hold political conventions to nominate their official candidate within 30 days before the start of the period for filing certificate of candidacy.

“Any violation of these provisions constitutes an election offense punishable by imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” he maintained.