A friend based in SG posted this. Why is there "DAANG MATUWID" after Mar & Leni's names? Is this real @jabjimenez ? pic.twitter.com/srWhTFLQvW— Mike Hupp (@noypi_bai) Abril 9, 2016
A former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner said the inclusion of the term "Daang Matuwid" in the names of Liberal Party (LP) bets Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo on the official ballot for the 2016 elections violates the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
Former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, who now serves as legal counsel of the Nationalist People's Coalition, said candidates can only use their nicknames and not other phrases and terms such as ''Daang Matuwid," the slogan of the administration.
"The OEC says the use of government funds to directly or indirectly campaign for a candidate is prohibited so if there's billboard that has the phrase or nickname 'Daang Matuwid,' that's a violation of the OEC. That has to be taken down. If you see a billboard, a streamer or other material that has the phrase 'Daang Matuwid,' technically, that's violation of the law and the person can be charged with an election offense," he said.
"The OEC says the use of government funds to directly or indirectly campaign for a candidate is prohibited so if there's billboard that has the phrase or nickname 'Daang Matuwid,' that's a violation of the OEC. That has to be taken down. If you see a billboard, a streamer or other material that has the phrase 'Daang Matuwid,' technically, that's violation of the law and the person can be charged with an election offense," he said.
Larrazabal made the comment amid complaints and inquiries he received after the start of the overseas absentee voting (OAV).
"At the start of the OAV a lot of people contacted me, asking about the ballot face. They were wondering why 'Daang Matuwid' was included in the name of some candidates and asked me if it was allowed. I looked at the rules. Comelec only allowed the use of nicknames and 'Daang Matuwid' is not a nickname. I told them the candidates are supposed to be allowed to use only their nicknames."
Comelec on Monday encouraged those with complaints to file a case with the poll agency.
""Yun ang nickname na inilagay nila, eh yun ang nickname. Mag-file na lang ng complaint," Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said.
On the other hand, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said, "It was placed in the COC [Certificate of Candidacy]. I think the only problem with that now is that some government agencies have started using that (slogan). But that's a separate issue, whether the can use it or not."
Jimenez also clarified that although both Roxas and Robredo have almost identical nicknames, there should not be any confusion as the two are running for different positions.
"They are running for two different positions, so there's no confusion there," Jimenez explained. "In this case, these are two different people running for different positions. There's really nothing wrong with that.
Jimenez also addressed a viral image circulating on the internet showing what appears to be a ballot with Roxas and Robredo's names highlighted in yellow. He said the image appears to be manipulated.
"We have images relating to that na pinakita natin... We do have images that show originals without any marking and the same originals suddenly with markings. So, it's clear na nagkaroon ng editing," Jimenez said.The Comelec spokesperson also does not rule out the possibility that what circulated was a sample ballot used for campaigning.
Reports from ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
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