Campaign season for national candidates begins

The 90-day campaign season for national candidates begins today.

Allowed to campaign starting Tuesday, 11 February are the 65 senatorial candidates and 156 party-list organizations.

Meanwhile, the 45-day campaign period for local candidates — including members of the House of Representatives and regional, provincial, city, and municipal officials — will start on 28 March.

Campaigning will pause on 17 April (Maundy Thursday) and 18 April (Good Friday).

The campaign period will end on 10 May, two days before Election Day.

Candidates for senators, House of Representatives, and local officials who do not belong to a political party can spend a maximum of P5 per registered voter.

If supported by a political party, the limit is P3 per registered voter in their constituency.

Independent candidates, on the other hand, are allowed to spend up to P5 per registered voter in their constituency.

Meanwhile, political parties are allowed to spend P5 per registered voter in the constituencies where they have official candidates. This amount is separate from the candidates' spending limits.

Candidates are prohibited from accepting campaign contributions from foreign nationals and corporations, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and entities funded wholly or partly by the government.

Private corporations are allowed to donate, but contributions should be accounted for and must be reported to the Comelec.

Certain sectors, such as public utilities and companies with government contracts, are prohibited from making contributions.

Campaign contributions are regulated to prevent undue influence from wealthy individuals, corporations, or special interest groups.

Additionally, campaign posters should not exceed two feet by three feet in size.

Streamers are allowed only for public meetings or rallies and must not exceed three by eight feet in size. They may be displayed for a maximum of five days before the event and must be taken down within 24 hours after.

Moreover, airtime for radio and TV ads of national candidates is limited to 120 minutes per TV station and 180 minutes per radio station.

For local candidates, the airtime must not exceed 60 minutes per TV station and 90 minutes per radio station.

All media advertisements must bear the true identity of the candidate or political party.

Election propaganda in print, such as newspapers, magazines, or any publication, must not exceed one-fourth page for broadsheets and one-half page for tabloids.

The frequency of print advertisements is limited to three times a week per newspaper, magazine, or other publication.

Online campaigning, including social media platforms, websites, and blogs, is allowed, provided that all paid political advertisements are reported to the Comelec.

Each candidate or party must register their official campaign websites and social media accounts with the Comelec.

Paid online advertisements must follow the cost limitations set for traditional media.

Election propaganda may be displayed on private property with the owner’s consent, provided that the materials comply with the size and content restrictions set by the Comelec.