Election candidates are reminded to take a break from campaigning on Maundy Thursday, April 17, and Good Friday, April 18.

“In whatever form, bawal ang ating kampanya. It will be an election offense for prohibited campaigning,” Atty. Dennis Ausan, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Western Visayas regional director, said.

Comelec advised the public to file a complaint against candidates caught in the act of violating election laws. Or to report to the authorities immediately, and make sure the pieces of evidence are sufficient to support the complaint.

“They can file it before the police, direkta na, and it will be facilitated to be filed sa Regional Trial Court. Or they can file it with any offices of the commission,” Ausan said.

Meanwhile, Department of Education (DepEd) 6 has reminded school heads on the rules and regulations in inviting candidates to the moving-up and recognition ceremonies.

“Dapat huwag gawing partisan political activity ang ating mga end-of-school-year rites,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., spokesperson of DepEd-6.

According to the agency, if the presence of candidates at these ceremonies cannot be avoided, the school must ask permission from Comelec.

At Cagbang Elementary School in Oton town, Iloilo province, for example, the said DepEd directive is implemented strictly.

“Hindi pwede ‘yan. Kahit mag-post ng mga picture diyan na nagbibigay ng atensyon sa mga pulitiko, hindi talaga pwede ‘yan,” Cagbang Elementary School Principal Gerry Gayoma said.

Further, a month into the May 12, 2025 midterm elections, Comelec has assured it is 100-percent prepared.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 also vowed to a sufficient number of personnel that would ensure peaceful and orderly elections despite several policemen in the Province of Negros Occidental now assigned at the newly created Negros Island Region.

“Meron tayong mga bagong graduates that we will be utilizing for this election,” PRO-6 Director, Brigadier General Jack Wanky said. (GMA Regional TV)