INTRAMUROS, Manila — With almost a month still to go before the official campaign period begins on February 11, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia has expressed us over the proliferation of posters and other propaganda materials of aspirants in the upcoming national and local elections (NLE) scheduled on May 12.

In an ambush interview, the Comelec chair expressed his frustration but cited that since individuals running for the midterm elections are still considered aspirants and not candidates at this point, their promotional materials are considered legal.

“Syempre po nakakadismaya. Talagang ako na personally, mag-e-express ako ng pagka-dismaya,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

“Pinapayagan kasi ng batas. At syempre, habang pinapayagan ng batas, legal ‘yan. Kung ‘yan man ay immoral or unethical, eh iba pong usapan ‘yun. Pero ang pinag-uusapan kasi kung legal ba ‘yan, ang sagot, yes,” he explained.

Garcia likewise added that there is no punishment in place for those campaigning this early.
“The law may be harsh, but that is the law. You may not accept what the law is, but that is the law. We are still a government of law, and not of men,” he clarified.

While the election period started on Sunday, January 12, with the nationwide gun ban taking effect, the 90-day campaign period for the national candidates (senatorial candidates and party-list groups) will not begin until February 11 and will last until May 10.

On the other hand, the 45-day campaign period for local candidates will be from March 28 to May 10.