ILOILO – Since Feb. 8 – the start of the campaign period for national elective posts (president, vice president, senator, and party-list) – the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here has removed 1,822 illegal campaign materials.
These materials were displayed either on trees, electrical wirings or government offices/buildings, or were oversized, according Police Colonel Adrian Acollador, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
The police is assisting Comelec in running after illegal campaign materials.
Comelec has not targeted – so far – campaign materials displayed in private properties. It is first seeking clarification and guidelines from its central office.
“Ining campaign materials that were removed sa national level pa lang. Ang mga local aspirants ara pa ila posters but we will remove them come March 25,” said Comelec-Iloilo election supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria.
March 25 is the start of campaign period for those seeking local elective posts.
“We have a standing instruction nga ang tutokan sa mga highways and public spaces. When it come sa private property medyo wala kami ano… because may pending nga kaso. We will try to clarify that before campaign period for local posts begin,” said Ananoria.
Comelec Resolution No. 10730 set the rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as the “Fair Election Act”, in connection with the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
Section 21 (Common Poster Areas) stated: “Parties and independent candidates may, upon authority of the Comelec, through the City or Municipal Election Officer concerned, construct common poster areas, at their expense, wherein they can post, display, or exhibit their election propaganda to announce their candidacy subject to the following requirements and/or limitations:
* A common poster area does not refer to a post, a tree, the wall of a building or an existing public structure that is in active use, but a structure that is temporarily set up by the candidates for the exclusive purpose of displaying their campaign posters
* In no instance shall an Election Officer designate as common poster areas, any trees, plants, shrubs located along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public grounds. In cases where parties and candidates still persist in displaying, posting, or exhibiting their campaign or election propaganda on trees and plants, they shall be prosecuted for violation of these Rules, without prejudice to the institution of a criminal complaint for the violation of Republic Act No. 35715./PN
