Incumbents warned vs use of government assets for campaign

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (COMELEC)-7 has warned incumbent officials seeking reelection in the upcoming midterm elections against the use of government properties to advance their own political interest.

COMELEC-7 regional director Atty. Francisco Pobe reminded all incumbent candidates of the strict rules on the use of government facilities and possible penalties for violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Pobe said the general rule is already  clear -- government vehicles cannot be used for campaign purposes. However, exemptions to the rule are made when assets are used in the delivery of public services.

 For example, if the city mayor uses government vehicles for activities related to official duties--that is allowed. But if they use them for campaigning, that s another story,  said Pobe.

In addition, the electoral body reminded officials that the use of government vehicles, facilities, or funds for personal or partisan political purposes is prohibited.

Since government assets are public funds, posting campaign posters, distributing propaganda materials and using government resources to tour around for campaigning are not allowed.

Pobe explained the different types of candidates and the rules applicable to them. Those incumbents seeking reelection or running for other positions, strict guidelines in the election code are in place so that they would not misuse the office.

Meanwhile, non-incumbent candidates are also warned to abstain from distributing campaign materials and posters outside the designated areas and even handing out paraphernalia that can violate the said code.

COMELEC-7 is encouraging the public to report these violations if they see one. While the commission officials themselves will take the initiative for such offenses, public complaints could really play a crucial role in addressing these violations.

Penalties include imprisonment for one to six years, disqualification from holding public office, and loss of the right to vote.

As campaign period draws near, Pobe shared that the commission is now preparing to finalize the list of official candidates.

The official list of candidates will tell those who will be running for the 2025 elections and those aspirants that are nuisance, disqualified, and have withdrawn their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) will be removed from the list.

It will be published by the en banc before ballot printing begins around the third week of December 2024.

 At least clean na ang listahan na ma consider na siya as final list of candidates from senatorial level down to Sangguniang Bayan,  said Pobe.

For candidates with pending disqualification cases, their names may still appear on the ballot. However, directives will be issued to election officers, instructing them not to count votes for disqualified candidates.

 Regardless kung mabutang iyang pangalan sa balota unya later on ma disqualify siya, ang among usually buhaton is we will just have to send directives or advisories sa maestra, sa mga election offices nga during election, dili na siya dapat kwentahon or dili na siya angay e-recognize kung mo daog man or unsa iyang resulta,  Pobe explained.

Disqualified candidates cannot claim victory if there s already an order against them