ILOILO City – It’s not the campaign period yet, but various posters, streamers and tarpaulins, among other campaign materials, start mushrooming across Western Visayas. While these are not prohibited, these should be minimized, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Some candidates and supporters were “excessively posting” them, said Director Wilfred Jay Balisado of Comelec in Region 6.
“Wala namang problema kasi part ng freedom (of) expression. Sana lang hindi todo-todo kasi kung minsan naka-ka-turnoff rin,” he added.
While Balisado believed the aspiring candidates were only taking the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public, “it’s really premature na ginawa nila ‘to… sana i-minimize nila,” he said.
It’s better, according to him, for candidates and supporters to wait for the campaign period.
Feb. 8, 2022 is the start of the campaign period for national positions (president, vice president, senator, and party-list representatives) while March 25, 2022 for local positions. Both will run until May 7, 2022.
Balisado said the Comelec could not clear away such campaign paraphernalia without a legal basis.
However, he pointed out the materials could take their toll on the environment later on.
“Ang panawagan ko more on (the) moral side. It’s not illegal per se pero is it moral? Kasi ang Comelec nag-set ng campaign period so doon pa dapat maglalagay ng tarpaulins. Now here comes this aspirant na right after filing ng COC (certificate of candidacy) nagparamdam na,” Balisado said.
According to Balisado, the political aspirants must instead bank on what they have done so far to help their respective communities.
“Is it not enough that we are incumbents at nakita ang project natin?” Balisado asked.
He added: “Kon hindi tayo insecure hindi tayo maglagay ng mga (campaign materials).”
Nevertheless, Balisado is hoping for an orderly and peaceful May 2022 elections./PN
