Comelec warns vs playing campaign jingles in early, late hours

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday reminded candidates to avoid playing campaign jingles on roads and streets early in the morning and late at night as this violates the guidelines.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia in an Unang Hirit interview called out candidates who have vehicles roaming around and playing their jingles in the early and late hours.

“Kung alas tres ng madaling araw ay nangangampanya ka na ay Unang Hirit yata ang pinuntahan niyo. Ang ibig kong sabihin, yung mga alas dose ng gabi mag-aala una tapos ang lalakas ng trompa o kaya mga alas-tres pa lang nagsisimula na,” Garcia said.

(If you're campaigning at 3:00 in the morning, then you're probably going to Unang Hirit. Around 12:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m., the speakers are loud.)

Garcia pointed out that candidates should respect the right of the voters to sleep and rest.

“Respeto yun sa iba. Hindi na kinakailangan pang ilagay sa guidelines yun, although meron din kami. Lagi na lang natin ipapakiusap huwag naman,” Garcia said.

(That's respect for others. It's not necessary to put that in the guidelines, although we have them. We will just keep asking them to avoid this.)

“Pahinga rin naman ng mga mamamayan natin. May karapatan din namang matulog at may karapatan din na medyo magising ng late kaunti na hindi naman ganun kaaga,” he added.

(Our citizens should also rest. They also have the right to sleep and the right to wake up a little late.)

The Comelec in the past weeks has been issuing show cause orders to candidates who violated its regulations.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from Feb. 11 to May 10, 2025, according to the poll body.

Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

Election Day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12 while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.