Comelec to probe Holy Week campaigning by 4 bets

The Commission on Elections announced on Sunday that it would investigate reports that four candidates violated the campaigning ban during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Comelec Chair George Garcia said the poll body received “massive” reports from netizens during the Holy Week regarding candidates who allegedly used the religious period to promote their candidacies, despite repeated warnings from the commission.

“Noong Huwebes at Biyernes, meron tayong mga na-monitor," Garcia said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. "Yan ang kaagad nating patitignan at aalamin sa ating mga local Comelec sapagkat may bago kasi tayong pamamaraan syempre ng pangangampanya.”

(On Thursday and Friday, we monitored some campaign activities. We will immediately look into these and coordinate with our local Comelec offices, especially since candidates are now using new campaigning strategies.)

He pointed out that many candidates turned to social media to make themselves visible during the campaign ban.

“Naglatag po talaga [ang] madaming kandidato sa social media naman. ‘Yun bang kanilang mga social media accounts, doon talaga sila nagpakilala nang sobra. So ang katanungan ay kung ‘yan ba ay paglabag sa ating pinagbabawal na bawal mangampanya sa Huwebes Santo at Biyernes Santo,” he added.

(They used their platforms extensively. The question now is whether that constitutes a violation of the Holy Week campaign prohibition.)

In addition, Garcia said the commission was looking into an alleged vote-buying incident in Quezon City.

“Bukas na bukas, talagang papaimbestigahan natin ‘yan dahil parang may namimigay din ng card. Parang ATM card 'yung ipinamimigay at inaalam natin kung ito ba ay paraan ng vote buying,” he said.

(Tomorrow, we will launch an investigation. It appears that cards resembling ATM cards were being distributed, and we’re verifying whether this is a form of vote buying.)

Garcia previously reminded candidates that campaign activities such as offering food and drinks after the Pabasa (Reading of the Passion), and organizing games or basketball tournaments, were prohibited during Holy Week.

While participating in religious activities is allowed, such involvement must remain non-partisan.

Violations of the campaign ban may constitute election offenses, punishable under Sections 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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