By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said on Monday (06 June 2024) that political candidates seeking to run in the 2025 elections should submit their latest photos to the commission which will be used for their campaign materials.
“Requirement para sa gagawin nating Fair Elections Act dapat po ay mag-submit sa amin kahit mga lima hanggang sampu siguro…dapat po taken within 6 months bago ang filing ng Certificate of Candidacy,” Garcia said in a radio interview.
Garcia said that the move aims to avoid misrepresentation.
“Because of misrepresentation, misinformation. Ang ating pinipigilan po dito, syempre ‘yung mga bagong kandidato lalung lalo na, hindi naman nila kakilala ‘yung mga kandidato na halimbawa gumagamit ng mga pictures na 20, 30 years ago… Pictures na nga lang hindi pa tayo magpakatotoo,” he added.
Comelec chairman said that using photos that were not submitted to the commission will be considered illegal campaign materials.
Meanwhile, he stressed that simple enhancement of photos is allowed.
“Pero ‘yung mukha namang hindi magkatulad ang kanilang itsura, larawan, para sa atin po ay misrepresentation ‘yun,” Garcia said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
