Campaigning during Maundy Thursday, Good Friday prohibited, Comelec says

The City Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded local candidates that campaigning is prohibited during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Jonathan Sayno, election assistant II of City Comelec said that all forms of campaign activities are prohibited on April 14, Maundy Thursday and on April 15, Good Friday.

“Holy Thursday and Good Friday bawal ang kampanya. All forms of campaign activities are prohibited on April 14 and April 15,” he said in an interview.

According to Sayno, campaign activities will resume on April 16 until May 7.

Campaigning during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday is considered an election offense based on the Omnibus Election Code.

National and local candidates found to be campaigning during the said period could face disqualification.

The campaign period for national polls started last February 8 while the campaign period for those seeking local positions started last March 25. The campaign period will end on May 7, two days before the elections.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said candidates should let voters observe the two religious holidays during the Holy Week.

“Sinasabi nga po eh, ‘Give unto Caesar what is for Caesar and to God what is for God,’ and ang ibig sabihin po natin dito, baka naman po pwede na pakiusap naman po — at ‘yan naman po ay isang patakaran na nasa ating mga umiiral na batas at resolusyon ng Commission on Elections — bukas po ay bawal mangampanya at sa Biyernes,” he said in an interview with Teleradyo.

“Dalawang araw na nga lang po ang sinabi eh, mangangampanya pa, di ba? Ibigay na natin sa pagninilay nilay. This is our highest sense of religiosity. Ibigay na natin ang pagninilay nilay sa mga Pilipino. Baka pwedeng pahingahin naman natin,” he added.

According to Garcia, camps that violate these rules may potentially face one to six years in prison, disqualification from public office, and loss of the right to vote.

Campaign sorties and motorcades may resume on Saturday, he added. (Sean Rafio/DG)