IMUS CITY, Cavite – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded national and local candidates that campaigning is strictly prohibited during the observance of the Holy Week.

Based on the Comelec Resolution no. 8758 implementing the Fair Elections Practices Act stated: “It is unlawful for any person, whether a voter or a candidate, or for any political party, or association of persons to engage on election campaign or partisan political activity on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, on the eve of elections and on election day.”

The Commission excluded Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; the day before and on election day – “Any election campaign or partisan political activity for or against any candidate outside of the campaign period herein provided is prohibited and shall be considered as an election offense punishable under Section 263 and 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. (Section 5, R.A. 7166).”

Maundy Thursday will fall on April 14, and Good Friday on April 15, this year, 2022.

Provincial Election Office urged 633 candidates in the province to turn off their loudspeakers and their campaign jingles during the dates “in deference to the Holy Week.”

“This is the time to give yourselves a break and make use of the Holy Week to reflect and review all the promises you dished out during the campaign period and how you intend to bring them to realization once you get elected on May 9, 2022,” General Trias City Election Officer Jasmin Gilera said in an interview.

Violating the campaign rules might lead to an election offense based on the election ruling.

All the candidates for the May 9, 2022 local elections here in the entire Cavite province started their respective campaigns on March 25, 2022, for the gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, congressional, and board members candidates for eight districts of the province, city, and town mayoral bets and vice mayoral candidates and councilors post.

Cavite candidates vying for the 268 elective positions are now in the middle of their 45-day campaign period allotted by the Comelec to let their “kababayans” know their platforms through caucuses, house-to-house visits, motorcades, unity walks, and campaign rallies.

Cavite reelectionist provincial Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla together with his running mate Tagaytay City Councilor Athena Tolentino, touring in each town and city to join with local bets led by Silang town bets led by returning Mayoral bet Emilia Lourdes “Omil” Poblete, 5th District Congressional candidate Roy Loyola, vice mayoral aspirant Ronilo “Isang Bagsak” Doneza, 5th District Board member bets Aidel Belamide, Paolo Crisostomo, and eight councilor candidates.

Remulla and Tolentino also joined the proclamation rally of Imus Congressman and Mayoral aspirant Alex “AA” Advincula, Imus District Congressional bet Adrina “AJ” Advincula, Vice Mayoral candidate Homer Saquilayan, Board member bets Arnel “Ony” Cantimbuhan, and Shernan Jaro of National Unity Party (NUP) to be held at Imus Grandstand in Bgy. Malagasang 1-G on March 25.

In District 1, Noveleta reelectionist Mayor Dino Chua and Team Unlad Noveleta, Kawit reelectionist Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo and party mates, Rosario reelectionist Mayor Voltaire Ricafrente and running mate Bam Bam Gonzales, Cavite City Mayoral bet Denver Chua and challengers Boy Alvarez (Noveleta), Cong. Boy Blue Abaya, (Kawit), incumbent Rosario Vice Mayor and Mayoral aspirant Antonio “Mao” Luna and running mate Jun Badidles and local National Unity Party (NUP) party and Apple Paredes, daughter of incumbent Mayor Totie Paredes are now on the left, and right campaign to get the votes of their respective town.

In 2nd District, Deputy Speaker and Bacoor City mayoral candidate Edwin “Strike” Revilla, Mayor and Bacoor Congressional candidate Lani Mercado-Revilla, Vice Mayoral candidate Rowena Bautista Mendiola, Board member candidates Edwin Malvar and Ram Revilla and 12 councilor candidates roamed around the city to campaign for votes.

In 6th District, Ferrer Brothers, GenTri Congressman and unopposed Mayoral bet Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer IV, unopposed Congressional bet and concurrent Mayor Antonio Ferrer, Vice Mayoral candidate Jonas Labuguen, Board member bets Kerby Salazar and Vice Mayor Morit Sison and 12 city councilor candidates started their campaign in upland part of the city going down to city proper.

The Comelec ruling on “New Normal” said that in all election campaign activities, the minimum public health standards set by the Department of Health (DOH) should be observed “at all times” by everyone.

All persons are mandated to wear face masks (ear loop masks, indigenous, reusable, or do-it-yourself masks, or other facial protective equipment), and observe health protocols.

Any person below 18 years old, those who are over 65 years old, and those with immunodeficiency, existing illnesses, or other health risks, and heavily pregnant women are not allowed to take part in election campaign activities.

Based on Comelec resolution no. 10730, it is forbidden to paste campaign posters outside the Comelec designated common poster areas.

Any donation gifts in cash or in-kind are also prohibited and follow as per the calendar of activities.

All poll bets must follow Comelec Resolution no. 10732 – for observance of campaign rules and minimum public health safety guidelines for in-person motorcades, caucuses, conventions, rallies, miting de avance.