Comelec Urges Candidates to Respect Black Nazarene Feast, Avoid Campaigning

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a reminder to candidates for the upcoming May 2025 national and local elections to refrain from campaigning during the Feast of the Black Nazarene in January. Comelec Chair George Garcia emphasized the importance of respecting the solemnity of this religious event, noting that it is not yet the campaign season. He encouraged candidates to allow devotees to focus on their prayers and devotion on January 9, the day of the Traslacion procession, which attracts millions of Black Nazarene followers annually. Garcia stressed that a sacred event like the Traslacion in Quiapo should not be politicized, even if the campaign period has not yet started and candidates have not been officially declared. He urged believers to use this time for reflection and to deepen their devotion. The campaign period for national positions is set to start on February 11, 90 days before the May 12 elections, and will conclude on May 10. Local candidates will have a 45-day campaign period from March 28 to May 10.