By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — As local candidates gear up for the May 13 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed its readiness for the start of the campaign period for local aspirants on Friday.
“We are as ready as we will ever be,” Comelec spokesperson, James Jimenez, said in an interview Wednesday.
Jimenez noted that their city/municipal election officers will monitor possible campaign rule violations by those who are running in the polls.
“The campaign period pretty much runs by itself. Our only concern there is looking out for possible violations,” he said.
Jimenez, however, is not discounting the possibility that their field officers would be overwhelmed by the sheer number of candidates at the local level.
“With more than 18,000 positions in contention, you are looking at several thousands of candidates at play. You can tell that within two hours, our personnel will already be overwhelmed,” he said.
Jimenez, however, said he is confident that they would be able to handle everything, with assistance from the public by reporting to them any campaign irregularity.
“The reports from the people are very vital as much as the Comelec needs to observe due process,” he said.
Local candidates include those running for a congressional seat at the House of Representatives; provincial governor; provincial vice governor; members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; mayor; vice mayor; members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; and members of the Sangguniang Bayan. They will be allowed to woo voters until May 11.
