Comelec dares 'premature campaigners' to match poll spending with Pablo donations

Politicians prematurely campaigning for the 2013 elections were "invited" Sunday to match their campaign spending with a donation to victims of Tropical Cyclone Pablo (Bopha).

 

The dare came from Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Arthur Jimenez, in a post on his Twitter account Sunday.

 

"Dear prematurely campaigning politicians: I invite you to match your spending on these campaign materials with a donation to Pablo's victims," Jimenez tweeted. Tropical Cyclone Pablo devastated Mindanao and Visayas earlier this month, leaving more than 1,000 dead and billions of pesos in damage.

 

While the campaign period for the 2013 elections does not start until at least February, many candidates have already been making their presence felt.

 

Some spent on radio and TV ads while others have been extremely visible on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

 

Last October, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. appealed to candidates and media outlets not to engage in what it called "indirect campaigning."

 

While he admitted there is no law yet prohibiting such acts, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. cited "delicadeza" in urging prospective candidates not to engage in such campaigning.

 

"I have the same call to TV/radio stations and media in general, giving unnecessary exposure to select candidates in the guise of interviews," he added.

 

"Regardless of what you call it, it can readily be misinterpreted as indirect campaigning or implied endorsement," he added.  — ELR, GMA News