The race is officially underway for 65 senatorial candidates and 155 party-list groups as the 90-day campaign period for the May 2025 midterm elections kicked off at midnight.
Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia urged national and party-list candidates to follow campaign regulations, emphasizing respect for public order.
“Respect those who are resting—no campaigning at 2 a.m. or in the early morning hours. There’s an appropriate time and place to campaign,” Garcia stated.
The campaign period will pause on April 17 (Maundy Thursday) and April 18 (Good Friday) before concluding on May 10, just two days before election day.
For local elections, candidates will have a 45-day campaign window from March 28 to May 10.
Limits take effect
Garcia also outlined media airtime limits, with candidates allowed up to 120 minutes on television and 180 minutes on radio per station throughout the 90-day period.
Financially, political parties and party-list groups can spend up to ₱5 per registered voter, while independent candidates may allocate ₱5 each.
Those with political parties are limited to ₱3 per voter.
COMELEC will strictly monitor campaign spending, requiring all candidates to submit Statements of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) after the elections.
For the first time, SOCEs will be publicly posted for transparency.
“You will see who donated, how much was spent, what remains, and whether proper taxes were paid,” Garcia explained.
Law enforcers are authorized to make warrantless arrests for vote-buying, and the poll body is taking steps to curb such activities via e-wallet platforms.
Peace and security efforts
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ramped up security operations with a 100-day plan to ensure a peaceful election period.
“We will provide route and area security for candidates as they travel across the country,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo stated.
The PNP is also implementing the Comelec’s “Kontra Bigay” initiative, targeting vote-buying.
To enforce the “money ban,” officers will set up checkpoints to monitor individuals carrying over ₱500,000 in cash, especially if distributed in envelopes.
Field commanders have been instructed to conduct checkpoint operations efficiently to prevent unnecessary delays for candidates and their supporters.
Meanwhile, the PNP is finalizing guidelines for “Oplan Katok,” an initiative aimed at tracking loose firearms.
Uniformed officers will conduct door-to-door visits during office hours, coordinating with barangay officials.
Alternative notification methods, such as emails or courier services, are also being considered.
In high-risk areas, police deployment will be reinforced with personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Efforts to dismantle private armed groups (PAGs) have made progress, with the surrender of firearms from the Guinto group, the last active PAG in Region 3.
The seized weapons will undergo forensic testing.
Who’s kickstarting their campaigns?
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will rally support for his senatorial allies as the campaign period begins, starting with a kickoff rally in Laoag City.
His administration, despite recent political controversies, maintains high public satisfaction ratings.
Marcos will accompany the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ senatorial slate across 21 campaign events nationwide.
The administration alliance is positioning its candidates as a “powerhouse” team that will advance Marcos’ vision for national progress.
The lineup includes prominent figures such as Sen. Pia Cayetano, former senator Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Lito Lapid, and former Senate president Tito Sotto.
Sen. Joel Villanueva announced that the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) movement, founded by his father Eddie Villanueva, will actively campaign against candidates deemed unfit based on their values.
“More than supporting the right candidates, we must vocally oppose those who won’t truly help our people,” Villanueva told JIL members gathered in Manila, including representatives from the Middle East, Canada, the US, and Asia.
Meanwhile, Workers and Peasants Party senatorial candidates Sonny Matula and Sultan Subair Mustapha launched their campaign in Manila’s Quiapo district.
Their kickoff featured prayer events at Quiapo Church and the Quiapo Mosque, highlighting their commitment to labor and agrarian issues.
With the campaign period now in full swing, voters will soon witness nationwide efforts from candidates vying for seats in the Senate and party-list representation.
Photo courtesy: COMELEC Fb Page
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