‘Election period extension will stop premature campaigning’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Extension of election period will help stop premature campaigning, according to Jessie Suarez, election supervisor of Negros Occidental election supervisor, about the Commission on Elections’ plan to extend the campaign period to 120 days for the 2016 polls.

Suarez said, “this is still a proposal and there’s no resolution yet. This is still on a planning stage. If this pushes through, it is much better.” He explained that the move will formalize the system on premature campaigning and freedom of expression.

He lamented that many politicians and candidates engaged in premature campaigning before the election period starts but they couldn’t regulate it because it will fall on the freedom of expression and part of their functions.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has expressed opposition on the plan of the Commission on Elections to extend the campaign period to 120 days for the 2016 polls.

"I am against extending the campaign period simply because, it even becomes more expensive,” Lacson stressed. He added “besides, if you are an incumbent, you already have 32 months of campaigning.”

Candidates for the national positions have 90 days to campaign while 45 days for local bets. The poll body came with this proposal to level the playing field among the candidates in the next elections.

The Comelec has set the first day of the campaign period on January 10, 2016, or 120 days before the election day on May 9.   (FREEMAN)