(Eagle News) — Vice President Leni Robredo expressed support for the passage of a law against premature campaigning, with the 2019 elections just around the corner.
“Nanawagan ako sa ating Kongreso na dinggin ang panawagan ng Comelec at muling ibalik ang batas laban sa maagang pangangampanya,” Robredo said in a statement.
According to Robredo, following the passage of RA 9369, or the Automated Election law, the Supreme Court declared in Penera vs Comelec that there was no ban on premature campaigning, resulting in the proliferation of billboards, tarps and political messages on television and over the radio.
She said in short, “lalong naging magastos ang pagtakbo.”
“Nakalalamang din ang mga kandidatong kayang gumastos ng malaki para sa kampanya, lalo na’t hindi nababantayan ng Comelec ang gastos bago magsimula ang opisyal na kampanya 90 araw bago ang eleksyon,” she said.
The midterm elections will take place on May 13, 2019.
The campaign period for national positions starts on Feb. 12, 2019.
The campaign period for local positions, on the other hand, starts on March 30 of the same year.
