20th Congress urged to amend Omnibus Election Code

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) on Sunday called for amendments to the Omnibus Election Code to address prevailing election-related concerns.

Talking to Super Radyo DzBB, LENTE executive director Rona Ann Caritos said these concerns include online campaigning.

“Sana po sa bagong Kongreso, sa 20th Congress, kailangan talagang pagtuunan ng pansin yung iba’t ibang aspeto ng eleksyon natin at yung mga batas na sakop nila kasi hindi na ganoon ka responsive yung ating mga election laws pagdating sa kampanya ngayon,” Caritos said.

(I hope that the 20th Congress pays attention to the various aspects of our elections and the laws that govern them, because our election laws are not that responsive when it comes to the campaign now.)

She suggested that there should be a provision for online elections and an increase in the expense limit.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, “no candidate shall spend for his election campaign an aggregate amount exceeding one peso and fifty centavos for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he filed his candidacy." 

Caritos also said there should be a contribution limit per candidate and a separate Commission of Elections (Comelec) facility.

Currently, the local government units house the Comelec field offices, which Caritos said may cause a conflict of interest for Comelec personnel.

This upcoming election, LENTE is monitoring the spread of disinformation online and the accessibility of persons with disability, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

It is also monitoring the compliance with the election rules, particularly during the canvassing of results.

Election day will be on May 12, 2025. — BM, GMA Integrated News