Campaign ends, liquor ban starts on Sunday, May 11, 2025

Starting Sunday, May 11, 2025, all forms of campaigning are prohibited as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) enforces the mandatory campaign silence period ahead of election day. 

This also comes with the implementation of the nationwide liquor ban.

In a report by Bernadette Reyes on "24 Oras" Weekend, the Comelec urged candidates and supporters to begin removing campaign materials, including large tarpaulins, as these are now considered violations of election rules.

READ: Comelec issues reminders ahead of Eleksyon 2025

"Pakipatanggal na po kasi baka ma-consider yan na kampanyahan pa rin. At siyempre kahit sa social media," said Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, stressing that digital platforms are not exempt from the campaign ban.

(Please take them down because they might still be considered campaigning, and of course, even on social media.) 

He added, “Pag sinabi nyo naman bawal ang kampanya, hindi lang naman kinakailangang pagbawal yung paglalakad, pagiikot at pangangamay sa kalsada, sa mga bahay-bahay. Kung hindi kahit sa social media.”

(When we say campaigning is not allowed, it’s not just about banning walkabouts, going around, or handshaking in the streets or homes, it also includes social media.) 

On election day itself, the Comelec reminded candidates to avoid roaming around after casting their vote, as it may be interpreted as a form of last-minute campaigning.

“Pwede naman daw magsuot ng anumang kulay ang kandidato basta walang mukhang nakaimprenta,” the report said, clarifying that colored attire is allowed as long as it does not bear any printed likeness or name of the candidate.

(Candidates can wear any color, as long as it doesn’t have a printed image.)

The Comelec also raised concerns about possible intensified vote-buying in the days leading up to the polls. Garcia warned that both the vote buyers and the sellers will face legal consequences.

"Okay lang na pumapasok, nakapila, wala ka pong nakikita. Eh paglalabas, may dalang sobre, may picture o card ng mismong kandidato. Yan ang ibig sabihin doon," he explained.

(It’s fine when someone enters [the polling place], lines up, and you don’t see anything. But when they come out carrying an envelope, or a photo or card of a candidate — that’s what we’re referring to.) 

"Hindi ba vote-buying yan? At diyan po kami magmamatyag mabuti," Garcia emphasized.

(Isn’t that vote-buying? And that’s what we’ll be watching closely.) 

The Comelec urged the public to remain vigilant and report any violations to ensure clean and honest elections.

Comelec on Saturday expressed confidence that the May 12 elections will be peaceful and orderly.

"Napakataas ng ating paniniwala sa mga kababayan nating botante na sila ay boboto at magiging tahimik ang ating eleksyon," Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(We highly believe our countrymen who are voters will vote and the elections will be peaceful.)

"[Inaasahan na] Mabilis tayong makakatapos dito (botohan) dahil medyo na-set up na natin ang mabilis na sistema at proseso para masigurado na [magiging] mabilis din ang pagproklama natin," he said.

(We expect that the voting will finish early because we were able to set up the system to make the process fast to ensure that proclamation [of winning candidates] will also be fast.)

Election Day is on Monday, May 12, with polling precincts opening as early as 5 a.m. to allow senior citizens, persons with disability, and pregnant registered voters to cast their votes early until 7 a.m.

Regular voting hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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