MANILA, Philippines — The Fee on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday reminded candidates of the particular elections within the second district of Antipolo Metropolis to watch correct campaigning because the ballot physique’s anti-discrimination decision stays in impact.
Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia made this assertion because the marketing campaign interval for the particular elections will run from February 12, 2026 till March 12, 2026. The particular elections shall be held on March 14, 2026 following the dying of Rep. Romeo Acop.
Garcia mentioned that whereas the Comelec is anticipating peaceable and orderly elections, he famous that the elections shall be “vibrant” because the seven candidates come from numerous and outstanding backgrounds.
READ: Comelec receives 7 COCs for March 14 particular polls in Antipolo
“Let’s say that there’ll come a time when the election turns fiery; nonetheless, the candidates should do not forget that the anti-discrimination decision is in impact,” Garcia instructed reporters in an interview.
“Candidates mustn’t assault their fellow candidates or different folks to make them snigger or catch their consideration. Now we have proven that we even disqualified (different earlier candidates) due to violating the anti-discrimination,” Garcia added.
Final February 2025, the ballot physique promulgated Comelec Decision No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Honest Campaigning Tips for the 2025 elections. It said that no discrimination shall be acted in opposition to cause-oriented teams and organizations, equivalent to folks which can be a part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) group, indigenous peoples, individuals dwelling with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), individuals with incapacity, and ladies.
The Comelec earlier mentioned that violation of the rules could represent an election offense. The ballot physique summoned a number of candidates throughout the Could 2025 midterm elections for his or her remarks which may have violated the decision.
READ: Comelec division disqualifies Ian Sia over sexist remarks
Considered one of them is Pasig Metropolis congressional candidate Ian Sia, who was disqualified by Comelec Second Division for operating within the midterm elections over what the Comelec’s anti-discrimination panel deemed to be sexist remarks. Throughout one in every of his marketing campaign actions, Sia joked about providing himself sexually to single moms, however just for these nonetheless menstruating.
In the meantime, Garcia additionally reminded the candidates that vote-selling and vote-buying are prohibited throughout their marketing campaign interval. He added that the candidates should marketing campaign for themselves legally, and with out disrupting the peace of different folks.
In the course of the marketing campaign interval, the next acts are prohibited:
- Eradicating, destroying, tampering or stopping distribution of lawful election supplies
- Posting, displaying, distributing unlawful marketing campaign supplies
- Making any money or in-kind donations
- Appointing or utilizing particular policemen, or confidential brokers
- Utilizing armored land, water, or plane
- Policemen and provincial guards performing as private bodyguards of public officers or candidates
Except for this, the ballot physique warned that the next actions usually are not allowed from February 12, 2026 to March 13, 2026:
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- Launch or disbursement of public funds
- Development of public works and issuance of treasury warrants or comparable units for a future endeavor chargeable in opposition to public funds
- Appointment or hiring of recent workers, creation of positions, promotion of workers
The ballot physique additionally banned the discharge of public funds, together with funds for Help to People in Disaster Conditions, Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Deprived/Displaced Staff, aside from medical and burial bills from March 4, 2026 to March 13, 2026. /cb
