Comelec Chairman George Garcia reminded candidates in the upcoming midterm elections not to take advantage of the massive crowds expected during this year’s Feast of Jesus Nazareno for early campaigning, as millions of devotees are anticipated to gather in Manila. Photo by Earl Jerald Alpay
Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia urged candidates on Monday not to exploit the upcoming feast of the Nazareno for publicity.
“Gusto lang namin ipaalala sa mga pulitiko na ite-take advantage yung ganitong klase ng prusisyon at isang aktibidad ng simbahan, na sana igalang naman nila ang karapatan din ng mga kababayan natin sa pananampalataya” Garcia said in a news conference.
Comelec’s directive allows the official start of the campaign to be set for Feb. 11 for senatorial and party-list candidates and March 28 for House of Representatives, provincial, city, and municipal candidates. Campaigning will end on May 10.
Garcia also cautioned that candidates may be disqualified for violating election campaign rules. “Wala ring makakapigil sa amin na idisqualify ang lahat ng mga pulitiko na lalabag sa kung sa palagay namin ay may paglabag and therefore warning ‘yun sa kanila.”
The Comelec chairman added, “So sinasabi lang natin, isang araw lang po ito kumpara sa 45 na araw ng kampanya sa lokal na posisyon at 90 na araw sa national na posisyon. So therefore ibigay na lang natin dito, sa mga mananampalataya, ‘yung araw na ito at wag na nating i-take advantage.”
Quiapo Church rector Fr. Jun Sescon also pleaded to politicians to give the spotlight to the Nazareno. “Nananawagan po kami sa lahat ng pulitiko, kung gusto po ninyo magsimba, pwede naman po kayo magsimba. Wala pong pipigil sainyo, pero sana po ay igalang po natin ang okasyon, ang talagang dapat bigyan ng pansin dito ay ang Poong Hesus Nazareno, wala na pong iba.”
The feast of the Jesus Nazareno is held annually on Jan. 9 with a procession from Quirino Grandstand going back to Quiapo Church. Earl Jerald Alpay
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