CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is calling on politicians to respect the solemnity of the Holy Week by refraining from campaigning.
Palma said he recognizes the right of candidates to campaign but points out that the traits of a potential leader can be mirrored in the way he or she observes the sanctity of an event like the Holy Week.
“Kun atong tan-awon, pribilihiyo gihapon kini sa mga politiko ang mangampanya pero nasayod kita nga ang mga tawo malipay kun makit-an nila nga bahin sa kinabuhi sa usa ka leader ang paghatag og panahon ug pagpasantos sa Semana Santa,” Palma said.
“For our candidates, we pray that they will be inspired with sincere motives. My point is, we can run for various reasons but hopefully, at the heart of it is real service for the community,” Palma said.
He also asked the faithful to pray for discernment for those who will cast their ballots on May 9. He said voters should look into the candidate’s attitude, lifestyle, track record, and electoral approaches, among others, when they make their choice.
“Mga hinigugma, ang eleksyon pribilihiyo nato dinhi sa nasud nga ang atong pagboto sa atong mga umaabot nga leader matod pa democratic. Mao na ang atong hangyo, atong estudyohan, pamalandongan ug pilion nato ang mga tawo nga sa atong panglantaw maoy makadala og kauswagan ug kaayohon sa atong nasud. Usbon nako pribilihiyo nato kini nga dili angay unta mahimong instrumento sa mga dautan matod pa vote buying ug kon unsa man nga panghulga aron ang makalingkod diha sa pwesto unta ngadto sa adunay takos,” he said.
Campaign
At the Commission on Elections, election supervisor Eliseo Labaria reminded candidates running for local positions that they can start campaigning officially on March 26, Black Saturday.
The campaign period for local bets is supposed to start tomorrow, March 25, but the law prohibits any partisan political activities during Maunday Thursday and Good Friday, Labaria explained.
Local campaign ends on May 7, two days before election day.
Labaria warned candidates, even incumbent officials, against delivering speeches at Holy Week activities unless doing so is part of their official function.
Again, Comelec reminded candidates on the prohibitions in mounting of campaign materials outside the common poster areas, in public places, and in private properties without the consent of the owner.
Public places include government-owned electronic announcement boards, patrol cars, ambulances, waiting sheds, sidewalks, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads, highways, schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, public structures, and public transport terminals such as airports, seaports, piers, and bus terminals.
Displaying of campaign materials on a tree, wall of a public building, plants and trees in plazas, parks and school premises are also prohibited under the law.
Common poster areas, on the other hand, are selected public places such as plazas, markets, “and the like where posters may be readily seen or read, and with the heaviest pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic in the city or municipality.”
Violation of the elections law constitutes an election offense punishable by six years imprisonment, without benefit of probation, and perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
Labaria clarified the Comelec can act on violations only when there is a formal complaint filed against a politician before Comelec or the prosecutor's office. —/JMO (FREEMAN)