Comelec warns bets in Antipolo special polls vs. premature campaigning

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday warned candidates in the March 14, 2026 special elections in Antipolo's second district against engaging in premature campaigning.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia called on candidates to observe election guidelines and refrain from campaigning before the start of the campaign period on Thursday, February 12. He warned that such violations could be ground for disqualification and be considered as an election offense.

"Sana sa mga tumatakbo, observe natin guidelines. Ito ay manual elections, therefore may premature campaigning," said Garcia in an interview.

(We are calling for all candidates to observe the guidelines. This is a manual election and therefore, there is premature campaigning.)

"Once file[d] [na] ang COC (certificate of candidacy), considered na kandidato na. Kapag nag-ikot kayo, namigay, nagpakain, nag-post ng campaign materials, 'yan ay ground for disqualification at election offense," he added.

(Unlike automated elections, bets filing their COCs are considered candidates already. If they campaigned before the campaign period, that is ground for disqualification and may be considered an election offense.)

The Comelec has set the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the special elections on March 14 from February 5 to February 7, 2026.

The campaign period for the polls will run from February 12 to March 12, while the election period will last from February 12 until March 29, 2026.

Meanwhile, Garcia said it may take a week for the Comelec to print and verify the ballots for the special elections.

The second district of Antipolo City has the largest voting population among congressional districts nationwide, with a voting population of around 300,000.

"Para sa printing ng balota, kahit tomorrow puwede na natin simulan 'yan. Kapag nasimulan bukas kahit by Monday tapos lahat ng balota na gagamitin natin. Of course, ive-verify pa lahat ng balota...Bibigyan natin buong linggo, tapos na namin," said Garcia.

(We can start the printing tomorrow and be done by Monday. However, we need to verify all the ballots. This means we would need at least a week to prepare the ballots... We can have everything done in about a week.)

"Ilalagay natin sa Comelec website lahat ng COCs para kilala sino mga tatakbo," he added.

(We will post the COCs on the Comelec website so the public will know who are running.)

The Comelec had announced that a special election will be conducted in the second congressional district of Antipolo City following the passing of late representative Romeo Acop last December.

Acop, 78, passed away on December 20, 2025 after succumbing to a heart attack. His political party, the National Unity Party (NUP), previously said the Comelec is mandated by law to hold a special election to fill his House seat.

Under Republic Act 6645, the Comelec must conduct a special election if a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives at least one year before the next regular election for members of Congress. For similar cases in the Senate, the lead time should be at least 18 months.

Republic Act 7166, meanwhile, provides that the poll body shall call and hold a special election to fill the vacancy not earlier than 60 days nor later than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy. — VDV, GMA Integrated News