Public urged to join drive vs early poll campaigners

MANILA, Philippines - The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) yesterday urged the public to join the “shame campaign” against politicians who do early campaigning.

Namfrel secretary-general Eric Alvia said concerned citizens may send pictures or videos of political ads to the Politikong Pampam Facebook page or use Twitter with the hashtag ‘#pampam’.

Alvia said the public should do their part since the Commission on Elections is powerless to stop early campaigning.

Under the law, those who file their certificates of candidacy (COC) from Oct. 12 to 16 are restricted from campaigning, so there has been a surge in the number of political advertisements on television, radio and newspapers for the past weeks.

More political advertisements are expected to be released in the coming days as the filing for COC nears.

“Most candidates are sensitive to their image and public opinion rather than doing what is right and ethical,” Alvia said.