The Commission on Elections reminded candidates Friday that campaigning will be prohibited during the Holy Week.

According to COMELEC Resolution 8758 which contains the implementing rules and regulations of the RA 9006 or the Fair Elections Practices Act; “it is unlawful for any person, whether or not 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, eve of Election Day and on Election Day.” For purposes of the May 10, 2010 elections, campaigning is prohibited on April 1, 2010 (Maundy Thursday) and April 2, 2010 (Good Friday).

“We urge candidates to turn off their loudspeakers and their campaign jingles during the said dates in deference to the Holy Week,” said COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez.

“Give yourselves a break and make use of the Holy Week to reflect and ponder on all the promises you dished out during the campaign period and on how you intend to bring them to fruition should you get elected in May,” he said.

Meanwhile, the COMELEC Spokesman told local candidates that they have three (3) days to remove their previously erected propaganda materials such as Valentine’s Day, Fiesta and Graduation Greetings. The official campaign period for local positions, according to Jimenez, has started today, March 26, 2010.

“The campaign period for local positions has already started. This means we now have jurisdiction over local candidates and that they are now officially covered with existing campaign rules and regulations,” said Jimenez.

Section 29 of COMELEC Resolution 8758 states that campaign materials such as posters, streamers and advertisements in radio, print or television, “made or done in violation of election laws prior to the campaign period shall be immediately removed by the candidate and by the radio station, print media or television station within three days after the effectivity of these implementing rules and the start of the campaign period..”

“Bring down and remove all your illegally placed posters and streamers, your advertisements in radio, TV and print within three days or face disqualification,” said Jimenez.