Mayor Duterte’s ban on political motorcades and caravans can be questioned for alleged violation of Constitution
Arellano explained that the mayor’s prohibition “directly strikes at the freedom of the electorates to express their preferences by expressing them through the use of the caravan form of political campaigning.” Supporters of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio hold a motorcade in the city on Thursday as they continue to push her to run for president in the May 2009 elections. The following month, the mayor withdrew her certificate of candidacy for mayor in favor of running for Vice President. Mindanews Photo
“The second question is whether or not a local chief executive has the power to order things like this… The question has already been referred to the Regional Comelec Campaign Committee. Sila magru-rule niyan,” ABS-CBN News quoted him as saying. The CCCC, like the other CCCs, are tasked to classify category levels in their respective areas of jurisdiction, approve/disapprove application for the conduct of election campaigns under the Comelec guidelines; monitor the conduct of election campaigns; prepare reports as regards the conduct of electoral campaigns; implement the provisions of Resolution 10732; and perform other functions as may be determined by the Comelec.
No candidate for President and Vice President has campaigned in the city since the national campaign started on February 8 but supporters of Vice President and Presidential candidate Leni Robredo and Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan held a motorcade dubbed “Ronda ng Pag-asa” on February 9. Candidates for local posts are also expected to hold motorcades when the campaign period begins on March 25.