Local aspirants who already have their names and faces out in public and on social media are not violating any election laws — yet, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In an interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said local aspirants are not violating any laws as they are not yet official candidates for the upcoming midterm elections.

“They have not violated anything yet. Even though the truth may be painful, that’s our law and the decision of the Supreme Court,” Garcia told reporters in Filipino.

“We do not have premature campaigning for local candidates at this time. Therefore, they are not violating anything and they do not have to report everything they are spending on their statements of contributions and expenditures,” he said.

While he understands the public clamor against local aspirants already handing out campaign materials and plastering their posters in public areas, Garcia reiterated the Comelec could not act on it.

“As for the posters, there are still no prohibitions; we can’t remove them because they are not yet candidates, they are all just aspirants,” Garcia added.

The campaign period for local candidates, including aspirants for the House of Representatives, will start on 28 March.