Comelec powerless vs 'premature campaigning' for now – poll chief

Poll Chairman Jose Melo maintained Friday that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is powerless in going after politicians engaged in "premature campaigning" until they have filed their certificates of candidacy in November. Until the filing period of November 20 to 30, the Comelec cannot charge anyone seeking public office for campaigning ahead of the official campaign period, Melo said. “We are having difficulty here. In fact this is the reason we failed to [resolve] the case filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago...that’s why she had to go to the Supreme Court dahil nga wala kaming magawa (because we couldn't do anything)," Melo said. Article X, Section 79(a) of the Omnibus Election Code defines a candidate as "any person aspiring for or seeking an elective public office, who has filed a certificate of candidacy by himself or through an accredited political party, aggroupment, or coalition of parties." The Comelec chief said he hopes Congress can amend loopholes in the country's election laws, given how several politicians reportedly eyeing elective public office are already appearing in advertisements months before the official campaign period. "Gustong-gusto [ko i-amend ang laws] dahil ang daming ngang naglalabasan na mga endorsement [ng mga pulitiko ngayon], para wala nang mga ganyan (I really want election laws amended since there are many endorsements appearing today, [I want laws amended] so that there won't be any more endorsements)," he said. Melo had earlier said it was obvious that some politicians are engaging in premature campaigning through infomercials or advocacy advertisements. Earlier in the day, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago summoned Cabinet members including Vice President Noli de Castro, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Education secretary Jesli Lapus, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to make them explain where they get the funds to finance infomercials being aired on both television and radio. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Efraim Genuino were also summoned. Santiago demanded that the officials pullout infomercials including themselves or the Senate would recommend the filing of corruption charges against them. - GMANews.TV