Comelec Chairman George Garcia delivers his message during the Philippine Disability Convention and Expo at the SMX convention hall at the Mall of Asia in Pasay city on July 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN newsMANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia on Tuesday expressed hope that the rule saying that aspirants will only be considered candidates on the first day of the campaigning will be challenged in court, to allow the poll body to regulate campaigning even before the election period.

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Garcia pointed out that as a result of a Supreme Court decision, there is no more premature campaigning in automated polls.

“Ako mismo sasabihin ko may mali. Kaya lang wala pong choice ang Comelec, wala naman kaming choice kundi sundin yan sapagkat desisyon ng Korte Suprema yan… So lahat pwede nila gawin sa kasalukuyan, hindi pa po sila sabi ng Korte.. Maganda nga po may mag question ngayon," he said.

"Naglabas kami ng Comelec resolution 11045, nakalagay that they are candidates only on the first day of the campaign period. Sana may magtaas sa Korte Suprema upang ma-question. Anong malay natin baka baligtarin ng Korte Suprema yung unang pronouncement nya. Pero syempre the Comelec will just follow because the decision of the Supreme Court forms part of the law of the land,” Garcia said.

Asked for his stand on political dynasties, Garcia said he believes an enabling law is required even as he said he is personally against political dynasties.

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“Personally I am against political dynasty… Political dynasty is not allowed by the Constitution, however, yan ang problema... There should be a law to define, limit, restrict, regulate political dynasties. So dapat kailangan ng batas, sa kasalukuyan wala pa po tayong batas… Ibig sabihin ang provision sa Saligang Batas is not self executory. Kakailanganin ng isang batas para ma-implement po ito,” he said.

Asked if being part of a political dynasty is ground for disqualification, Garcia said it is so for candidates in the Sangguniang Kabataan elections and in the Bangsamoro parliament elections.

'PRIVATE ARMIES'

Garcia meanwhile called for the abolition of all private armed groups in the country less than a year before the 2025 elections.

This, as he welcomed the reported statement of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordering the PNP to abolish private armed groups in Central Luzon.

“Sana po kahit wala pang election period masimulan na yan sapagkat hindi naman kinakailangan pumasok ang election period para masawata o ma-abolish o matanggal ang private armies sa ating bansa,” Garcia said in a news forum.

Garcia said he will demand to the PNP to provide the poll body with a list of all private armed groups, pointing out the Comelec can deputize the police and AFP during elections.

He said politicians who cause disorder or violate efforts for an orderly and peaceful elections may face cases or disqualification.

Asked how many security personnel a candidate is entitled, Garcia said this depends on the threat assessment of the PNP.

“Sa amin ang may final say at approval kung ilan ang po-protekta na security na PNP o kung kinakailangan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.

He said Comelec will start receiving applications for gun ban exemption in November, saying it will be liberal but expects permit holders to strictly follow regulations. He also expects Comelec checkpoints to help enforce the ban.

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