Poll violations reported within first 12 hours of campaign period — Comelec

Several election violations were reported to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) within the first 12 hours of the campaign period for the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Friday.

"May reports na ng violation and we are processing them even as we speak. Wala pa akong number, but since the morning, I think I've personally received more than six reports already. Mostly in Quezon City," Jimenez said at a briefing at the Comelec Education and Information Department (EID) office in Manila.

Candidates in the previous 2013 BSKE were disqualified after they were reported for various offenses, including vote buying and overspending.

"Ang nakita na nating naging patunay ng vote buying is testimony of actual witnesses, in some cases recipients of the actual vote buying," Jimenez said.

Avoid citizen's arrest

At the same press briefing, voters were encouraged to report on possible election violations and dissuaded from making citizen's arrest as it may lead to dangerous situations for the persons making the reports.

"That's not something we encourage because it would put people in harm's way," Jimenez said. "Isumbong niyo. If you can do it without harm to yourself or without exposing yourself to risk, then, please document these violations that you see."

"People who violate the rules are the people who don't really care about the rules. And if you're going to confront someone who doesn't care about the rules, what are the chances they'll care about your well-being?" he added.

Citizen's arrest, said Jimenez, must clearly show how campaign materials are in violation of the law.

In the case of campaign posters placed in areas outside of common poster areas, or exceeding the maximum size of 2x3, documentation or photos of the posters must still be in said areas to allow Comelec and their partner agencies to identify their locations.

If there are attempts at vote buying, Jimenez advised voters to contact any of the citizens' arms for the election or election watchdogs for aid.

"We appreciate the effort but if you're going talk about one thing to prove na may ganitong klaseng galawan, that will not work kasi ang daling gumawa ng ganyan. Anyone can mock-up a flyer, or even a calling card, attach money to it, and take a picture of it," Jimenez said.

"Let's document it properly para magamit natin," he said. "Baka pag-ugatan lang yan ng meme na magiging fake news na magka-clutter lang sa issue."

Lawful and unlawful election propaganda and activities

Jimenez said posters on private properties, including PUVs such as tricycles, must still follow size regulations and posted with the consent of the owners. The Comelec will consider collages made of 2x3 posters an election violation.

"Halimbawa, ang apilyedo mo Cruz. Gagawa sila ng poster na 2x3 na ang letra lang ay "C". Tapos gagawa sila ng isang poster na 2x3 na letrang "R," at letrang "U," at letrang "Z." Tapos pagdidikit-dikitin, para mabuo yung isang pangalan," Jimenez explained.

"This is a clear circumvention of the 2x3 rule. 'Di po allowed 'yan, maci-cite po kayo niyan ng election officers. Not to mention the fact na, basically, mahohog mo yung common poster area," he said.

Other Comelec reminders are:

• Streamers sized 3 ft. by 8 ft. must only be used in rallies and disposed right after. All disposable posters must be recycled.
• TV advertisements are limited to not more than 60 minutes per station and not more than 90 minutes for radio. Expenses for these must not exceed Comelec's campaigning limitation of P5 per voter.
• Broadsheet ads must only take up 1/4 of a page while tabloid propaganda is limited to 1/2 of a page.
• Propaganda materials found in violation of Comelec Resolution No. 10294 shall be punishable as election offenses.

The campaign period began on May 5, Friday, and will run until May 12, two days before the BSKE on May 14. — RSJ, GMA News