By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday called on local candidates in the upcoming May 12 elections to be “calm” and ensure “orderly” campaigning.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the call, ahead of the start of the campaign period for local bets on March 28.
In a press briefing, Castro said the Palace is expecting a “credible” 2025 elections, considering the decline in the number of areas facing poll-related threats.
“Tayo po ay iyan din ang ninanais ng administrasyon. Makipagtulungan tayo sa lahat ng ahensiya para po magkaroon tayo, especially sa election, maging credible po ang mangyayaring election sa susunod na May 2025 (That is what the administration wants. Let’s cooperate with all agencies so that we can have, especially in the election, a credible election in May 2025),” Castro said.
“Ang nais lamang po natin ay maging mahinahon sa kanilang pangangampanya, maging maayos, maging makatotohanan sa kanilang mga sasabihin. Huwag po sana silang magsagawa ng ano mang pananalita na magke create pa ng kaguluhan (All we want is for them to be calm in their campaigning, to be orderly, to be truthful in what they say. I hope they don’t make any statements that will create more chaos),” she added.
The number of areas under the red category or with serious threat of election-related violence has decreased from 38 to 36, according to the latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Areas under the red category include 30 from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, two in the Negros Island Region, and one each in Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, and Cagayan Valley.
The Comelec, however, is expecting an increase in election-related incidents, when the campaign period for local candidates begins. (PNA)
