Comelec, environmental group warn vs. campaigning during Traslacion

The Commission on Elections, and an environmental activist group on Saturday urged politicians refrain from using the Feast of the Black Nazarene as a platform for premature campaigning for the May polls, claiming that it is "wrong" and "bad for the the environment."

“We appeal to the sense of delicadeza of candidates not to turn the Traslacion into a campaigning event," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

He added, "Please do not take advantage of the loopholes in the premature campaigning law to plug your candidacy during the Feast of the Black Nazarene, annually drawing a mammoth crowd. Premature campaigning is wrong."

Millions of devout Catholics are expected to join the annual Traslacion on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, where millions of devotees join the 6-kilometer procession route for the transfer of the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church in Manila.

Also, Daniel Alejandre,  zero-waste campaigner for the Ecowaste Coalition, warned politicians to avoid putting up tarpaulins and distributing leaflets and other promotional materials that could contribute to the hundreds of tons of trash usually left behind by devotees during the annual Traslacion.

According to the Manila City government, 385 tons of trash was collected along the procession route from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church in 2018, and over 341 tons in 2017.

If politicians really want to make their presence felt by the crowd, Alejandre suggested that instead of putting up streamers, politicians should instead offer food and water in reusable containers, and support the volunteer cleaners during the procession.

The official campaign period for Senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 12 to May 11, 2019; and for House of Representatives aspirants and elective regional, provincial, city and municipal posts will be from March 30 to May 11, 2019, Jimenez said.

“We urge all candidates not to campaign outside the official campaign period, and to be always mindful of the environmental impact of their campaigning activities," Jimenez added. —Kaela Malig/LBG, GMA News