Comelec to ban motorcades on major roads

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is set to ban campaign motorcades along major roads in Metro Manila, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said yesterday.

He said the poll body will issue a resolution next week prohibiting campaign motorcades to prevent traffic jams along main roads.

Brillantes made the statement after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) asked the Comelec to consider filing an election offense case against politicians whose motorcades cause traffic jams.

“This will not be a mere traffic violation but an election offense. We should make them realize the effect to the traffic flow of holding motorcades on major roads, especially when these are not coordinated with the proper agencies,” MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said.

He said the Comelec should treat motorcades that clog roads as a serious election offense that is punishable by disqualification.

Brillantes said the Comelec has already approved in principle the MMDA’s proposal to ban campaign  motorcades on major roads.

According to Brillantes, Tolentino reported that there are mounting complaints from motorists regarding traffic jams caused by campaign motorcades.

The Comelec agreed to ban campaign motorcades along EDSA, Aurora Boulevard, Quirino Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, Domestic Road/MIA Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, España Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Circumferential Road 5, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, Araneta Avenue, Rizal Avenue, A. Bonifacio, A.H. Lacson street and Magsaysay Avenue.

Regulation, not prohibition

Brillantes said the Fair Elections Act gives the Comelec the power to promulgate rules regarding campaigning.

 â€œWe are not prohibiting motorcades or any kind of election campaigning, but we are regulating. This is regulation in the sense that motorcades” cannot use major roads, Brillantes said.

“We will apply that and we will consider this as an election offense,” he added.

Comelec Resolution 9615 considers vehicle motorcades as a lawful election propaganda, but is subject to the supervision and regulation by the commission.

Brillantes, however, said same resolution cannot be applied to political rallies being held along highways and major roads.

He said they do not find political rallies as problematic as campaign motorcades since they are stationary. He also noted that campaign rallies require permits from local government units.

MMDA petition

The MMDA called on the Comelec to ban motorcades along major roads a day after filing a petition before the poll body asking that it be given the authority to regulate political campaign motorcades in Metro Manila.

Tolentino met with Brillantes Wednesday to convey the MMDA’s desire to be deputized to assist the poll body in regulating the use of major thoroughfares in Metro Manila for campaign motorcades and caravans.

In its petition filed before the Comelec, MMDA pointed out that several election campaigns, caravans, rallies and other similar election-related activities carried out along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila greatly affect the “already congested” flow of traffic.

Tolentino clarified that the MMDA only wants to regulate the time and duration of a campaign motorcade so the agency would be able to come up with the necessary preparation to avert any traffic problem.

“All we’re concerned about is the holding of these campaign caravans in major roads. It is not our intention to control the candidates’ campaign, particularly on where to set up the stage for proclamation rallies and other campaign-related activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino also urged the Comelec to also set up common rally areas so as not to hamper the free flow of traffic.

United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Nancy Binay said she will “welcome regulating, but not preventing motorcades. That is our only way to connect with people, especially us who do not have funds for television ads.”

She added that their motorcades are properly coordinated with government agencies concerned. – With Jose Rodel Clapano