Comelec starts monitoring candidates' airtime, campaign spending

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started monitoring the political ads and spending of candidates as the campaign period kicked off Tuesday.

"Simula kagabi tuluy-tuloy na tayo hanggang matapos ang campaign period, magbibilang po tayo kung hanggang gaano katagal silang lumalabas sa TV advertising at kung magkano ang nagagastos nila," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told Unang Hirit in an interview.

Based on the Comelec's new airtime limits, national candidates and registered political parties can have 120 minutes of television advertisement and 180 minutes of radio advertisement for every station.

Local candidates are allowed to have 60 minutes of television advertisement and 90 minutes of radio advertisement per station.

The Comelec has also set the campaign spending for presidential and vice presidential candidates at P10 per voter. Those running for other positions in the May elections are allowed to spend P3 per voter.

Jimenez also reminded the candidates to avoid putting campaign materials on trees and place their posters only at designated "common poster areas."

"Bawal pong magkabit ng posters, ng kung anu-anong propaganda sa mga puno. Huwag na huwag nating gagawin 'yan. Ang gusto natin ay magkaroon tayo ng clean and green election," he said.

Jimenez also warned candidates against giving out items of value and cash throughout election period.

"Kung matatandaan ninyo noong 2013 yung mga namimigay ng iPAD online, bawal po 'yan," he said.

Jimenez said that the Comelec is reviving its Twitter campaign against politicians who will violate rules and regulations during this year's election period.

"Puwede kayong magsumbong ng election campaign violation gamit ang #Sumbongko at ang hiling natin sana bantayan nila ang offline sa tunay na buhay at online, isumbong sa atin sa Twitter sa #Sumbongko sa Comelec," he said. —ALG, GMA News