Since many political aspirants are likely to take advantage of the commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this week, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is hoping that would-be candidates will make their tarpaulins “useful and relevant.”
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted that candidates who are looking to greet people during the event should do away with posters with their faces or posters with them in Halloween costumes just to show that they also observe occasion and instead come up with ones that would help motorists.
“We know that those are running, they do take advantage of every single social event imaginable,” he said in a forum in Manila on Monday.
“Hopefully, they would channel this in a good and useful way. For example, instead of coming up with a tarpaulin with their faces on them or with them in costumes, why don’t they come up with roadside assistance for people going to the provinces. You know, make it relevant. Make it useful,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez reiterated that they cannot stop premature campaigning, and that they expect political candidates to have more delicadeza and should not abuse the absence of a law on electioneering.
The country will commemorate on November 1 and November 2, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively. (Ferdinand Patinio, PNA)