MANILA, April 21, 2009-A Catholic Church-based election watchdog lashed at politicians for premature campaigning by taking cover behind commercial advertisements or personal advocacies.
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said political ads on television, radio and other media outlets this early must be stopped.
According to its chairperson, Henrietta de Villa, what some politicians are doing is a complete disregard on the rule against early campaigning.
De Villa is worried that public funds may be used to finance the so-called advocacies of several public officials.
The PPCRV official believes early media exposure of several politicians is obviously for the purpose of early campaigning for the 2010 polls.
She called on the public to show politicians that they are not tolerant of those who are violating the law.
"Dapat ipaalam sa mga pulitikong ito na hindi nating gusto yung ginagawa nila na pag-disregard sa batas... It speaks of their characters... Dapat nasa process of selection natin what are the core values being shown by these politicians," de Villa said.
Asked whether this would mean translating these into no-votes of those who are disregarding the law, the former ambassadress to Vatican answered affirmatively.
"That could be part of the input... let's inform them not only by voicing disdain but also through actions," de Villa said.
Several political ads have begun to proliferate since late last year and are expected to continue in the run-up to the 2010 elections.
Among these political ads are those of senators Manuel "Mar" Roxas and his "pedicab" and "cheaper medicines" advertisements; Manuel Villar and his overseas Filipino worker and poverty commercials; Panfilo Lacson and his anti-corruption ads; Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando and his "metro orderliness" posters and bus stickers; and Vice President Noli de Castro and his commercial on government housing programs.
The Commission on Elections had earlier said that it is powerless over the early proliferation of political ads.
The poll body said commercial ads of politicians cannot be considered as premature campaign as the politicians have yet to file their Certificate of Candidacies.
De Villa said it is saddening that the political culture has gone to the point of making politicians look for ways to skirt the law only to advance their political interests.
She said they are going to include the said principle in their ongoing voters' education campaign since moral values are part of it. (CBCPNews)