The Council for People's Development and Governance (CPDG) refuted claims of rebel involvement in campaign rallies.
This, after presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson alleged the presence of Communist Party of the Philippines legal fronts during the grand rally of fellow presidential bet Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan in Cavite.
In a statement released Tuesday, March 15, CPDG Spokesperson Liza Maza said the "excessive security-mongering" by the current administration is "worrisome."
Maza underscored that such speech creates a condition for fear and intimidation which could "affect the liberty and free will of voters" ahead of the May 2022 elections.
"Red-tagging is already being castigated as it entails danger to vilified individuals and organizations," Maza added, noting that “the situation is akin to Marcos' propaganda before Martial Law was declared in 1972."
Citing Article 22, Section 261 E. of the Omnibus Election Code, Maza stressed that "threats and intimidation" or "other forms of coercion" are punishable by law.
"Such unfounded accusations cause undue fear and intimidation on voters participating in campaign sorties of their chosen candidates. We all know repression will intensify on the pretext of public safety and security. Our rights will be curtailed even more, as they have done during the past two years of the pandemic. In a political context, this may be used to erode support for the opposition," she pointed out.
CPDG called on the government to ensure the sanctity and democracy of free elections.
"Any effort to manipulate or subvert the will of the people is a setback to our democracy. We should not allow this to happen. We call on all freedom-loving Filipinos and civil society to continue pushing back and asserting their democratic rights. " Maza ended.