A Commission on Elections official on Thursday, March 24, called on all local candidates to keep their campaigns peaceful and to remove all of their illegally posted campaign materials or face charges.
Bacolod Comelec Elections Officer Revo Sorbito issued the call on the eve of the start of the campaign period for congressional, provincial, city and municipal candidates.
The local campaign period kicks off Friday, March 25, and will end on May 7.
Sorbito called on Bacolod bets set to hold separate rallies Saturday to make sure their supporters observe COVID-19 basic health protocols.
He also called on the candidates to avoid mudslinging and physical violence to keep their campaigns peaceful.
Local candidates were also reminded to remove all illegally posted campaign materials outside of common poster areas.
The Commission on Elections will start removing illegally posted materials in public places on Friday,, Sorbito said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson also called on candidates to keep the campaign period and elections peaceful and orderly.
“Let’s not get violent… respect the outcome of the May 9 elections,” Lacson said.
He also reminded candidates to avoid negative campaigning. “Who knows your opponent now may be your teammate in the future elections,” he said.*