The Commission on Elections (Comelec) appealed to political candidates running in the 2025 midterm elections to not use the annual Traslacion procession for campaign purposes.
In a press conference held on Friday, January 3, Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized the importance of preserving the spiritual and religious nature of the event, which is meant to honor the Jesus Nazarene, and warned that any political campaigning during the event would violate election laws.
The Traslacion, which marks the procession of the Jesus Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church) in Manila, is expected to draw six million of Catholic devotees this year.
Under Philippine election regulations, campaigning can only begin once the official election period starts.
Early campaign, particularly during major public events like the Traslacion, is prohibited.
The Comelec expressed concern that some candidates might attempt to exploit the religious procession to boost their visibility and promote their candidacies ahead of the official campaign period.
The Commission reminded political candidates that engaging in such activities could lead to legal consequences, as it goes against the law prohibiting pre-election campaigning.
The Comelec also reiterated the need for politicians to demonstrate ethical behavior by respecting the sanctity of religious traditions and discouraging any form of campaigning that may disrupt the event or take advantage of the religious devotion of the people.
With the 2025 midterm elections on the horizon, Comelec's call is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and free from undue influence.
The Commission is closely monitoring public events to prevent any violations of election laws that may arise from the use of religious or cultural occasions for political purposes.
As the Traslacion draws closer, the Comelec urged all stakeholders, including local authorities and the public, to work together in maintaining order and upholding the integrity of the religious event.
Jesus Nazareno replica blessing
Around 100,000 devotees gathered at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church, in Manila for the blessing of Nazarene replicas on Thursday, Jan. 2, the Nazareno Operation Center reported.
Quiapo Church communications coordinator Silgen Frias Cabrito said the crowd estimate was based on a combined count from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the church's command post as of 1:30 p.m., before the blessing of the image began.
Cabrito said the devotees who joined the replica blessing included members of Hijos Del Nazareno (HDN, or Sons of Jesus Nazareno), the official organization of Quiapo Church.
“Ngayong pagbabasbas ng mga replika ito po ay pinag-isa na lang na pagbabasbas at ito po ay binubuo ng Hijos Del Nazareno: HDN-Basilica; HDN-Anpon; HDN-Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (MBBN); HDN-Central; HDN-Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (NPJN); and HDN-BUKLURAN (The blessing of replicas has been unified into a single event led by the Hijos del Nazareno),” Cabrito said.
“Sila po ang may mga hawak ng kani-kanilang nasasakupang mga Balangay na accredited sa simbahan ng Quiapo (They oversee their respective accredited Balangays under Quiapo Church),” he added.
As of 5 p.m., around 30,000 devotees remained at the church, while the number of accredited replicas brought by the Balangays was 1,100, excluding the count of individuals who brought their own replicas of Jesus Nazareno.
The blessing of the replica images is conducted annually as part of the celebration for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno every January 9.
“Isinasagawa ito upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang kani-kanilang mga inaalagaang mga imahe/replika kasama na rin ang kanilang mga estandarte o tanda ng pagkakakilala ng kanilang mga grupo para mabasbasan at kaugnay nito ay upang hindi na rin nila dalhin sa mismong araw ng Kapistahan ng Poong Jesus Nazareno (This event allows devotees to have their images or replicas, along with their group’s banners or identifiers, blessed in advance. It also ensures they no longer need to bring these on the actual Feast Day of Jesus Nazareno),” Cabrito explained.
The Quiapo Church has also released the schedule of other activities for the event:
January 1 to 6, 2025: Barangay Visitation (Basic Ecclesial Community – Quiapo District)
January 2, 2025: 1:30 p.m. – Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Replica & Standarte Blessing
January 3, 2025 (1st Friday of the Year):
Mass Schedule:
Morning: 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. (every hour)
Afternoon: 12:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. (every hour)
January 8, 2025:
Morning Mass Schedule: 5 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Fiesta Masses in the afternoon and evening: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (every hour)
January 9, 2025 (Feast Day):
Morning Mass Schedule: 12 a.m. to 11 a.m. (every hour)
Afternoon Mass Schedule: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (every hour)
Evening Mass Schedule: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. (every hour)
Quirino Grandstand Activities:
January 6, 2025:
6 p.m. – Mass for the Volunteers
January 7 to 9, 2025: Pahalik (Devotional kissing of the statue of the Black Nazarene)
January 8, 2025:
3 p.m. – Band Parade
5 p.m. – Panalangin sa Takipsilim (Vigil and Program)
January 9, 2025:
12 a.m. – Misa Mayor (Solemn Mass) presided by Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula Jr.
1 a.m. – Continuation of Vigil and Program
Panalangin sa Bukang-liwayway (Dawn Prayer)