George Garcia, Chairman of Comelec, Speaks on Election Campaign Rules during Graduation Season
COMELEC – The Commission on Elections reminded the candidates of the May 2025 Elections that campaign materials are not allowed in graduation rites.
Currently, campaign events and election caucus meetings are taking place left and right as the May 2025 Elections draw near. Both local and national candidates of the upcoming poll are now allowed to campaign in the pursuit of winning more voters for the upcoming poll.
With the May 2025 Elections drawing near, several political parties are also on a double time to campaign for their senatorial bets. The Marcos administration backs its own senatorial bets under the slate of the Alyansa Para Sa Pagbabago, a grand alliance of the different political parties in the country.
The Commission on Elections monitors the different campaign scenarios as the elections draw near. There are rules and regulations. Comelec has even encouraged the Filipino artists to file complaints in cases of illegal use of their songs for the election campaign.
Currently, it is not only a month away from the May Midterm Polls. It is also graduation season in the Philippines as the school year has come to an end in many schools and educational institutions. Amid the time when there are rampant graduation rites, Comelec raised a reminder to the candidates.
Based on a report on PhilStar Global, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia warned the candidates not to have their campaign materials in graduation ceremonies. He stressed that it is not allowed and could result to disqualification.
The Comelec Chairman also said that campaign materials are not allowed in school premises although incumbent officials may attend graduation ceremonies. Usually, government officials are being invited to be among the guest speakers at the graduation rites.
Based on the report, Garcia told the government officials to just praise the graduates. He warned them not to campaign as they talk to the audience at the graduation rites. The campaign period is until May 10, two days before the local and national elections.
Under the law, the country is mandated to observe a synchronized local and national elections. The May Elections are held every second Monday of May. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are allowed to vote for the May 12 Elections from April 13 to May 12.