Comelec: No more campaigning on eve of polls

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded national and local candidates as well as their supporters that campaigning is no longer allowed on Sunday (May 12), a day before the mid-term polls.

“No campaign on Sunday. The people must be given a time for silence for them to be able to contemplate on who to support on election day. Let them decide without hearing these repetitive campaign jingles,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview on Friday.

Section 3 of Comelec Resolution No. 10488 states that campaigning is prohibited on the eve of election day (May 12) and on election day (May 13).

Jimenez also reminded the public that the liquor ban for Monday’s polls will also take effect Sunday midnight.

“No selling of alcoholic beverages and drinking in public on Sunday. By Tuesday, at 12:01 a.m., it will be lifted,” he added.

However, Jimenez said the liquor ban does not apply to foreigners.

“You can sell liquor or consume liquor only if you have an exemption. This is for those selling to foreign (tourists). But as for locals, no drinking until the polls end,” Jimenez added.

Violators will face imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation, and in addition, the guilty party shall suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.

On Monday, over 61 million voters nationwide are expected to participate in the mid-term polls.

A total of 18,072 national and local positions are at stake from senator to municipal/city councilor.

The voting starts around 6 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.