The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday has expressed dismay over the proliferation of posters and other propaganda materials of aspirants less than a month before the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections officially begins.
In a radio interview, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia stressed that these incidents are discouraging for the poll body as he expressed his frustration over the matter.
He explained that while the election period started on 12 January with the nationwide gun ban taking effect, the 90-day campaign period for the national candidates — senatorial aspirants and party-list groups — will not begin until 11 February and will run until 10 May 2025.
‘The law may be harsh, but that is the law.’
Also, the 45-day campaign period for local candidates will be from 28 March to 10 May 2025.
However, Garcia stressed that as the individuals running for the midterm elections are still considered aspirants and not candidates at this point, their promotional materials are considered legal.
“The law allows it. And of course, since the law allows it, it’s legal. Whether it is immoral or unethical, that is a different matter. But on the question whether that is legal, the answer is yes,” said Garcia.
The poll chairperson also said there is no punishment in place for those campaigning this early.
“The law may be harsh, but that is the law. You may not accept what the law is, but that is the law. We are still a government of law, and not of men,” Garcia said.