Candidates in the 2013 polls may still bombard the Internet with ads despite a new rule limiting online campaigns, as long as they do it for free.

This, as Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes noted that limits on ads across all media are put in place to control campaign spending.

The days of “epal” politicians may soon be over; at least that’s what the Commission on Elections rule on campaigning says.
Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Monday “anti-epal” provisions are in place to clear the streets of posters and materials bearing the names of politicians in public places.

MANILA, Philippines – Facing criticism, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, January 22, backtracked on its rule that broadcasters should seek its permission to interview bets even for daily news.

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr said the poll body will soon issue a resolution to “clarify” this rule.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A new province to be called Davao Occidental in Mindanao has been created 4 months before the midterm polls, but the election of its provincial officials will be unlikely until 2016.

Republic Act 10360, which carved out the new province from Davao del Sur, was signed by President Benigno Aquino III on Jan 14. It will take effect 15 days after it was published in newspapers on Monday, January 21.

An estimated 900,000 registered Filipino overseas absentee voters  (OAVs) will have a full month before the May elections to cast their votes. 
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released En Banc Resolution 9618 which mandates that “casting of votes (for OAVs) shall be for a period of thirty calendar days beginning at eight o’clock in the morning of April 13, 2013 local time of the host country until seven o’clock in the evening of May 13, 2013, Philippine time inclusive of all established holidays in the Philippines  and such other holidays  in host countries.”