Obey Campaign Rules, Support Siquijor, Comelec Chief Tells 2019 Bets

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco R. Castillano of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here has called on the local candidates to know, follow and obey election laws as he assured that the Comelec will also be fair and transparent in the conduct of elections.

This he said as he discussed some campaign rules for May 2019 polls under Comelec Resolution 10488, which serves as implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act.

Under the Fair Elections Act, parties and candidates are only allowed to mount their campaign posters in authorized common poster areas, such as plazas, markets, and barangay centers.

Noting Siquijor to be a peaceful place with clean and beautiful beaches as one of its selling points, Castillano urged parties and candidates to also put in mind Siquijor’s ‘No Plastic Policy.’

He also warned political bets against tacking or nailing posters or streamers on trees, electric posts, and on bridges during the campaign period and urged the public to be vigilant against illegal posting of campaign materials and report violations to their office.

“Dili ko gusto nga kamong mga kandidato, nga maoy mangulo para sa kalamboan sa Siquijor maoy maghugaw-hugaw sa Siquijor, patyon ang mga kahoy (i don’t want you candidates, who are supposed to be the leaders for development would be the ones littering Siquijor or killing its trees), warned the election Supervisor.

He urged candidates and voters not to hesitate coming to their office to ask and avail of their free election-related services and consultation.

If the candidates know the laws, dili nila irisgo ang ilang kandidatura (he would not risk his candidacy) to acts that would disqualify him. Ayaw’g irisgo inyong kandidatura sa usa lamang ka poster (do not risk your candidacy to only one poster) because your poster is not the key for you to win. “Ang inyong magkatawo maoy makapadaug kaninyo,” Castillano reminded them.

He also warned the candidates to be wary of those asking for good amount of money to assure them of winning because “if we know it, we should have long been running for governors, senators or president ourselves,” Castillano said.

Castillano assumed as Siquijor Comelec head, replacing Atty. Jerome Brillantes who was moved to Cebu Comelec.

The campaign period runs from Feb. 12 to May 11 for senatorial candidates and party-list groups and for local bets, from March 29 to May 11. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)