The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Saturday that the Negros Oriental official seen in a viral video throwing P500 bills at a crowd has not technically violated any election laws.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia explained on Super Radyo dzBB that since the local campaign period hasn’t started yet—it officially begins on March 28—the official is still considered an “aspirant,” not a candidate. This status means the individual isn’t yet bound by election campaign rules.
Garcia referred to the Supreme Court’s Peñera Doctrine, which states that election laws only apply once the official campaign period begins. Therefore, no legal violation has occurred under current election rules.
However, Garcia emphasized that concerned citizens or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could still file a complaint regarding the act.
“The DILG or any local resident can file a complaint,” he said. He also urged voters to be discerning: “If candidates, whether incumbent or not, behave like this, it’s up to the public to decide if they still want to support such individuals who take advantage of people’s hardships.”