MANILA, Philippines - Sunday, January 13, marks the start of the election period in the runup to the May polls.

The Commission on Elections is set to implement a nationwide gun ban and a freeze in the hiring and transfer of civil servants.

The poll body said the nationwide gun ban also covers airsoft guns and bladed weapons.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, meanwhile, said poll commissioners are cool to the proposal to impose a total gun ban.

Mornings@ANC, January 8, 2013