The Commission on Elections on Saturday urged political aspirants to stop using religious activities, such as fiestas, to woo voters. This comes after politicians were seen joining the processions during the Feast of Santo Niño in the Manila districts of Tondo and Pandacan on Saturday.

The said districts are vote-rich in the country’s capital, with roughly 400,000 votes cast in 2022.

In a Viber interview, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said would continue to recommend that aspirants avoid politicking during religious gatherings, including fiestas, which usually draw big crowds.

“Kung nananampalataya hindi po natin problema, wag lang namumulitika. Patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa paggalang sa relihiyon at debosyon (If it's a show of faith, that's not our problem, just don't politick. We will continue to call for respecting religion and devotion),” Garcia told the DAILY TRIBUNE when asked whether candidates attending fiestas constitutes premature campaigning.

However, the Comelec Commissioner noted that these political aspirants are not yet deemed official candidates as the campaign period has not yet commenced, quoting a Supreme Court ruling in 2009.

“They are not yet official candidates (as per) Peñera vs Comelec. The official campaign period starts this 11 February for national posts, while the campaign period for local elections starts on 28 March,” Garcia said in Filipino.

Pandacan festival

Last week, Garcia was asked during a forum about candidates engaging in premature politicking. He responded, “Take your campaigning slow and easy. Let us not underestimate the intelligence of the Filipinos. They know when you are just making appearances or when their patience is being tested.”

During the Buling-Buling Festival, a religious and cultural event celebrated annually in Pandacan and coinciding with the fiesta to honor Santo Niño, several councilors and congressmen attended alongside incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo.

Incumbent Tutok To Win Party-list representative and Manila mayoral candidate Sam Verzosa also participated in the festivities, engaging with residents and shaking hands.

The Buling-Buling Festival features street dancing where Pandaqueños, dressed in traditional Filipino costumes, perform along the streets accompanied by marching bands.

Meanwhile, Rep. Verzosa shared on his official Facebook page that he had also attended the Lakbayaw Festival in Tondo, accompanied by supporters clad in his campaign color, orange.

Verzosa joined the street dancers and even twirled with them while they chanted, “Ate, kuya, sino ba ang mayor nyo? (Brothers, sisters, who is your mayor?),” with the dancers enthusiastically responding, “SV!”

Other candidates spotted at Lakbayaw procession included Manila mayoral candidate Raymund Bagatsing and senatorial candidate, incumbent Senator Imee Marcos.