The campaign period for national candidates or those running for president, vice president, senator and party-list in the May 2022 polls will officially start Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Based on Resolution No. 10730 or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fair Elections Act in connection with the May 2022 polls" of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the official campaign period for national candidates is on Feb. 8 until May 7, while the campaign period for local candidates will be on March 25 to May 7.
Campaigning will be prohibited on April 14 (Maundy Thursday), April 15 (Good Friday), May 8 (Eve of Election Day) and May 9 (Election Day).
Starting April 10, campaigning abroad will also be prohibited as this is already the start of the month-long voting period by overseas absentee voters.
In Resolution No. 10695, the Comelec reminded candidates that it is prohibited to give donations or gift in cash or in kind as well as the appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents, and others during the said period.
In Resolution 10730, the poll body also listed the following as prohibited forms of election propaganda materials which include newspaper, newsletter, newsweekly, gazette or magazine advertising, pamphlet, leaflet, card, decal, bumper sticker, poster, comic book, circular, handbill, streamer, sample list of candidates or any published or printed political matter and to air or broadcast any election propaganda or political advertisement by television or radio or on the internet for or against a candidate or group of candidates to any public office, unless they bear and be identified by the reasonably legible, or audible words “political advertisement paid for” followed by the true and correct name and address of the candidate or party for whose benefit the election propaganda was printed or aired.
Considered as lawful campaign materials, on the other hand, are pamphlets, leaflets, stickers or other printed materials not exceeding 8½ by 14; handwritten or printed letters; posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard not exceeding 2 by 3 feet; streamers not bigger than 3 by 8 feet at the site of public rallies; mobile units and vehicle used in motorcades; and paid advertisements in broadcast, internet, mobile, print or outdoor media.
The posting of any election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner is not allowed.
Public places include electronic announcement boards, such as LED display boards located along highways and streets, and LCD monitors posted on walls of public buildings; motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and for other similar purposes that are owned by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations; waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers, and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways; schools, shrines, barangay halls, health centers, public structures and buildings or any edifice; public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government, such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Philippine National Railway (PNR) trains; and within the premises of public transport terminals, such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, docks, piers, train stations, that are owned and controlled by the government.
Each party and independent candidate, with prior consent from the Comelec, may put up common poster areas in every barangay subject to limitations.
Candidates and registered political parties for a national elective position are allowed not more than a total of 120 minutes of television advertising, on a per station basis, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and 180 minutes of radio advertising, on a per station basis, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, whether by purchase or donation.
While candidates and registered political parties for a local elective position, they are allowed to have not more than a total of 60 minutes of television advertising, on a per station basis, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and 90 minutes of radio advertising, on a per station basis, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, whether by purchase or donation.
For published or printed election propaganda, candidates are only allowed a maximum size of ¼ page in broadsheets and ½ page in tabloids but not more than three times a week per newspaper or magazine.
With regard to online election propaganda materials, the Comelec said all electoral ads must show a disclosure that identifies it as a paid electoral ad, and discloses who paid for the ad.
Bets, however, need to secure prior approval from the Comelec Campaign Committee (CCC) before conducting in-person campaign, conventions, caucuses, meetings, miting de avance and rallies, motorcades and caravans in view of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.