By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday reminded candidates in the May 2025 national and local elections to refrain from campaigning during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in January and respect the solemnity of the religious event.
Comelec Chair George Garcia declared that the campaign season has not yet begun, urging poll bets to let the devotees spend Jan. 9 in prayers and devotion.
Millions of Jesus Nazareno devotees participate in the yearly Traslacion procession, which takes place on Jan. 9.
“Ang isang banal na gawain tulad ng Traslacion sa Quiapo ay hindi pinupulitika kahit pa nga maaring hindi pa simula ng kampanya at hindi pa kandidato. Pabayaan sana na ilaan ng mananampalataya ang panahon na ito upang makapag nilay-nilay at mapaigting ang kanilang debosyon,” Garcia said in a statement.
The campaign period for those seeking national positions will begin on Feb. 11, or 90 days before the May 12 polls, and end on May 10.
The local aspirants have 45 days to campaign, from March 28 to May 10.