MANILA, Philippines — Powerless against premature campaigning, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not likely to go after violators in next year’s elections since Congress will not be passing a new law to give more teeth to enforcement. “Premature campaigning loopholes are really a tough one to plug,” said Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon yesterday. The only way to stop premature campaigning, Biazon said, is to move the filing of candidacy much earlier, which the Comelec is not predisposed to do. Under existing rules, the commission has no police power to prevent potential candidates from engaging in premature campaigning so it has long been pushing for legislative relief. The problem, Jimenez said, is that measures against premature campaigning have never been a priority by both houses of Congress.

Source: Philippine Star June 03, 2021 15:56 UTC