The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Sunday that it will investigate reports of four candidates who violated the campaigning ban during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
In a radio interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body received reports from netizens during Holy Week about candidates who allegedly used the religious period to promote their candidacies, despite repeated warnings from the poll body.
"On Thursday and Friday, we monitored some campaign activities. We will immediately look into these and coordinate with our local Comelec offices, especially since candidates are now using new campaigning strategies," Garcia said in Filipino.
According to the Comelec chief, many candidates turned to social media to make themselves visible during the campaign ban.
"They used their platforms extensively. The question now is whether that constitutes a violation of the Holy Week campaign prohibition," he added.
Garcia previously reminded candidates that campaigning during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is prohibited.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 10999, any election campaign or partisan political activity for or against any candidate outside of the campaign period is prohibited and shall be considered as an election offense.