THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned electoral candidates for both national and local positions against bullying and discriminating of other candidates and their supporters during the campaign period.
The poll body said that acts of bullying and discriminating against candidates, including women and other sectors during the campaign period will be deemed a violation and election-related offense, based on Comelec Resolution No. 11116 approved yesterday by the Comelec en banc.
“During the election period, any person who, directly or indirectly, committing acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination, against women, discrimination against PWDs (persons with disabilities), on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites, and ceremonies as defined under Section 2 of this Resolution shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of RA 9006 and Section 261 (e) of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code) and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations,” the resolution read.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the guidelines will help ensure that the election campaign will be fairy and there will be no discrimination.
He added that he expects the people to file cases themselves so there’s no need for the poll body to file motu propio cases against violators.
The campaign period for national posts commenced last February 11. On the other hand, candidates vying for local posts will begin on March 28, 2025. Simultaneously, the campaign period will end on May 10, 2025.