COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday pushed for the enactment of a law that would push back the start of the election period right after the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) for clean and peaceful elections.
Garcia made the appeal to Congress as the Comelec condemned the killing of Mark Orlando Vallecer II, acting election officer of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte.
"This senseless attack, which occurred earlier today (Nov. 26, Tuesday) in Salvador, Lanao del Norte, is not only a crime against a public servant but an assault on democracy itself," he said.
"We mourn the loss of a colleague who served with courage and integrity, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. The Commission remains steadfast in its mission to uphold free, fair, and peaceful elections. Violence will not deter us, and those who seek to harm democracy will face the full force of justice," he added.
Garcia said the killing could have been avoided had there been a law that bans premature campaigning.
Under the present setup, Comelec jurisdiction will only come in at the start of the campaign period, which is 120 days before the scheduled election.
"We hope that there would be a law that prohibits premature campaigning for those who filed their [certificate of] candidacy. It means that they are considered candidates right after the filing of their candidacy, even if it is not yet an election period," Garcia said.
"We also hope that the election period would start the moment we require the filing of candidacy, not just 120 days before the election. We hope that right after the filing of candidacy in October, it's already the election period so that we can start the gun ban and other prohibitions under the [Omnibus] Election Code," he added.
Garcia said that without such a law, Comelec would be powerless against premature campaigning, carrying of firearms and other prohibitions under the election code.
"Violence has no place in a democratic society. Such acts spread fear, disrupt the electoral process, and undermine the values of justice and freedom that bind us as a nation," he pointed out.
Garcia called on candidates and their supporters to reject violence and intimidation.