February 12, 2025
MANILA – The 90-day campaign period for 66 senatorial and 156 party-list candidates starts on Tuesday, Feb. 11, with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) pointing out that it will strictly enforce rules, especially against illegal election propaganda.
READ: Campaign period for national bets begin
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 11086, which was issued last year, on Dec. 9, candidates and political parties have 72 hours before the start of the campaign period to remove all prohibited election propaganda such as names, images, logos, brands, initials, and graphical representations on all public structures and places:
- publicly-owned LED boards located in highways and streets, LCD monitors posted on walls of public buildings, and similar devices owned by the government
- vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and for similar purposes that are owned by the government, especially those with government license plates
- public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government such as the MRT, LRT, and PNR
- waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages, and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian walkways, flyovers, bridges, main roads, center islands of roads and highways
- schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers, public structures and buildings
- within the premises of public transport terminals, owned and controlled by the government
The campaign period, including the 45 days that will be given to local candidates to woo voters starting March 28, will end on May 10, but the Comelec stressed that election campaigns will be prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18(Good Friday), May 11 (eve of the election), and May 12 (day of the election).
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READ: Poll body issues new rules on campaign materials
As of 10 a.m., former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, who are seeking a comeback, already started their campaign with Mass at the University of the Philippines – Parish of the Holy Sacrifice. They will kick off their “people’s campaign” at the Dasmariñas City Arena in Cavite at 4 p.m.
The slate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., or the “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” is set to stage a proclamation rally at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City at 3 p.m., while senatorial candidates of PDP-Laban are slated to start their campaign on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Club Filipino in San Juan City.
Koalisyong Makabayan candidates, which include Representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela) and France Castro (ACT Teachers), kicked off their campaign at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila before embarking on the “Tao Po. Taumbayan Po,” a “grassroots campaign” of directly engaging people, discussing issues and alternatives.
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But with all of them set to spend the next 90 days reaching out to voters across the country, the Comelec pointed out the need for candidates to be responsible enough, reiterating its rules stated in Resolution No. 11086, which contained more or less the same provisions that were promulgated for the election in 2022.
Expenses
The Comelec said the aggregate amount that a candidate may spend for an election campaign should not exceed P3 for every voter for candidates with a political party; P5 for every voter for candidates without any political party and without support from any political party; and P5 for every voter for political parties and party-lists.
Dimensions
It was stated that pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers, or other written or printed materials should not exceed 8 ½ inches in width and 14 inches in length, while posters or standees made of cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable material should only have an area not exceeding 2×3 feet.
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Streamers not exceeding 3×8 feet in size should only be displayed at the location, and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally, and said streamers may only be displayed 5 days before the date of the event and shall be removed within 24 hours after the public meeting or rally.
Sustainable
Candidates are also encouraged to use recyclable and environment-friendly materials and avoid those that contain hazardous chemicals and substances in the production of their campaign and election propaganda. They are required to indicate in their printed campaign materials the statement: “This material should be recycled or disposed of responsibly.”
READ: Comelec reminds poll aspirants to use biodegradable campaign materials
LED boards
Candidates seeking national positions shall not have more than two months of outdoor advertisement in a certain static or digital billboard and are not allowed to have these within one kilometer from each other. For local candidates, a billboard advertisement is limited to one month and should be more than 500 meters away from each other.
Prohibited
The Comelec said it is illegal to post, display or exhibit any election propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner.
READ: LIST: Common poster areas for 2025 elections
It is likewise prohibited to print, publish, show, display, and distribute any election propaganda material that is violative of gender sensitivity, considered obscene, offensive, or constitutes a violation of the Magna Carta of Women.