EDITORIAL - Fair campaigning

The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy and party-list certificates of nomination and acceptance of nomination ended yesterday, with the situation nationwide generally peaceful. Every effort must be made to ensure that the same peaceful and orderly environment will prevail as the 2025 midterm elections approach.

Every effort must also be made to promote fair campaigning. The Commission on Elections has been defanged by the courts in areas such as preventing premature campaigning and reining in party-list groups. But the Comelec can work with civic groups with election-related advocacies as well as executive agencies with mandates that can be applied to the promotion of fair campaigning.

The Comelec, for example, can work with environment groups and government agencies to take down posters and other campaign materials that have sprouted this early, posted on lampposts, trees and the walls of public schools and other government properties. Since the violators may include local government officials themselves, the Comelec must seek the help of other authorities and groups.

Even before the start of the official campaign period on Feb. 11, 2025, such materials can be taken down for violating national and local rules against pollution or littering and damaging trees. Those who persist in displaying their campaign materials in public spaces, including incumbent local government officials, must be required to pay fees, with the rates similar to those charged for private outdoor advertising. The candidates must also be required to take down their materials after election day, with penalties imposed for failure to do so.

The Philippine National Police has issued several statements reassuring the public that it is implementing measures to prevent violence in the 2025 elections. With 18,280 elective positions at stake, the PNP has its work cut out. Every electoral exercise in this country has been marred by deadly violence. Even before candidacies are formalized, politicians are already murdering potential rivals or harassing the rivals’ supporters.

In many cases, state security forces themselves are involved in the violence as they serve as the private armies of politicians. There must be no exceptions as the PNP reshuffles its members who have been assigned for a long time as security escorts of a particular politician or clan.

The aspirants for the 2025 races have formalized their bids. Every candidate must now be encouraged or compelled to play by the rules instead of going around them, and to eschew the use of armed violence.