Voters urged: Take note of bets breaking pre-electioneering ban

WITH some politicians now starting to air political advertisements, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the public to take note of potential candidates looking to get a head start of their competitors for the May 2025 national and local polls.

In a phone interview, Elections chairman George Garcia said this as it reminded the public of the Comelec-imposed ban on premature campaigning.

“Regardless of our personal views on the matter, our duty is to enforce and administer the law,” said Garcia.

The Comelec last March announced its plans to implement anew the ban on premature campaigning for the May 2025 midterm polls.

This after the poll body successfully enforced the premature electioneering prohibition during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in 2023.

Garcia said the Comelec is banking on the public to take into consideration how those who are campaigning way outside the designated campaign period violated the prohibition when they cast their votes on Election Day.

“We, the Filipino electorate, in view of our collective wisdom and sense of maturity, can discern what is right and what is not. We cannot be fooled,” said Garcia.

Garcia issued the statement as he noted how several politicians have started airing advertisements on television and on social media.

Among those who already have political advertisements are Senators Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino, while Sen. Bong Go previously had several tarpaulins posted across the country.