2025 local campaign period begins nationwide

The official campaign period for local candidates in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections began on March 28, imposing regulations on spending, campaign materials, and poster placement.

Candidates have been campaigning for months, as the Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that premature campaigning is permissible as long as candidates are only officially recognized once the campaign period starts.

The start of the formal campaign period signifies a shift to more intensive efforts by politicians to win votes, with 45 days remaining until election day.

Outgoing Sen. Nancy Binay is running for Mayor of Makati City and started her campaign with house-to-house visits, while re-electionist Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte began with a proclamation rally and a mass.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started dismantling illegal campaign materials through Oplan Baklas, with local authorities removing posters exceeding size limits or placed outside designated areas.

Based on the 2022 elections, the upcoming period is expected to see increased abuse of state resources, intensified disinformation campaigns, and persistent vote-buying.

Over 18,000 local positions are up for grabs in the midterm elections set on May 12.