Comelec: Campaigning via text allowed

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez on Sunday said campaigning using mobile numbers is allowed.

“Walang pagbabawal sa paggamit ng mobile number / sms sa pangangampanya (There is no prohibition in using mobile number or SMS in campaigning),” Jimenez tweeted.

Walang pagbabawal sa paggamit ng mobile number / sms sa pangangampanya. Pero maaring pumasok yan sa anti-spamming regulations ng DOTC. Please report to the DOTC. https://t.co/GgJvlTm6SW

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 24, 2019

Jimenez, however, said election campaigns using text messages may fall under the anti-spamming regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission. He urged those who received campaign messages to report these to the NTC.

The poll body’s spokesman was replying to an online user who asked if “direct targeting mobile users” in a campaign is legal.

Aside from text messages, the Comelec earlier said there is no law regulating or restraining political campaign in social media.

READ: Social media for ‘unli’ use by candidates

“We have no new or additional regulatory features, (thus) social media remains free to use for political purposes,” Jimenez said in an interview over One News’ “The Chiefs” in October 2018.

Meanwhile, the Comelec earlier released the campaign rules on posters and asked candidates to remove their illegally placed campaign materials.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the poll body already called out the candidates who have illegal posters.

She also encouraged citizens with complaints regarding candidates’ vote buying and illegal posters to file a written complaint before the Comelec law department.

“We @COMELEC sent notices to all candidates that have illegal posters, all LAHAT. We requested @DOHgovph to remove posters n Malasakit centers government hospitals,” Guanzon said on Twitter.

“Including [government] hospitals, health centers airports, piers, barangay halls. Barangay officials are [prohibited] from campaigning,” she added.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups began last February 12 while the campaign period for the local candidates, such as governors, mayors and district lawmakers will start on March 29.