THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Saturday that it requested the The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to apprehend campaigning politicians that violate health protocols. "That is what I'm telling the IATF-EID and the police because as of now they have that authority to stop it (premature campaigning) for violation of health protocols," he added. The lack of solid legislation against premature campaigning was highlighted in 2010 after the Supreme Court reversed its earlier decision in the Penera vs Comelec case wherein it disqualified Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte Mayor Rosalinda Penera as candidate in the 2007 local elections for violating the Omnibus Election Code. Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code states that "it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate...to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity, except during the campaign period."

Source: Manila Times November 14, 2021 05:56 UTC