Panties as campaign material? Comelec says that's allowed

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said election laws do not discriminate against where campaign materials should be printed on, even if it's on an underwear.

The poll body made the clarification following a viral post showing a panty with the name of Quezon City councilor printed on the back and was supposedly a "give away."

“As far as the law is concerned, there doesn’t seem to be any basic, any sort of fundamental reason for making it more unacceptable than say a printed t-shirt. Puwede naman,” Comelec Spokesperson Dir James Jimenez said when asked about a viral post of a panty printed with the name of a councilor.

A staff from the politician clarified to GMA News that the underwear was not a campaign material but was one of the prizes handed out at a game their camp had organized.

Jimenez said politicians are becoming more and more innovative with their election campaigns, but added not all of these end up being beneficial.

“Yung psychology ng panty, it’s funny. And look, look at how much air [time] he is getting. Look at how much coverage this whole thing is getting. But I think it’s a double-edged sword. Because mapag-uusapan ka pero anong uring pag-uusap ang ikakabit sa pangalan mo?” Jimenez said.

Jimenez reminded the public that even though the election period starts on Sunday, January 13, campaigning is still not allowed.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups starts on February 12, while the campaign period for those running for a seat in the House of Representatives and local government units starts on March 29. — MDM, GMA News