MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the public to report campaign materials that do not comply with the set rules and regulations as the campaign period for senators and party-list candidates started on Tuesday.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said common violations committed by a candidate include campaign materials not being placed in the common poster areas designated by Comelec and materials being larger than the size allowed.
“Anyone can report illegal campaign materials,” Jimenez said. “The public should take a photo of the material and post it on social media with the #SumbongSaComelec.”
Jimenez added that the sender must describe how it violated the Comelec guidelines and state where it is located.
The candidate being complained will also be given grace period to take down the illegal campaign materials.
Candidate’s poster must not be larger than two feet by three feet, while streamers for rallies must not exceed three feet by eight feet in length. It should not be place earlier than five days before the event and must be removed 24 hours after.
Only the campaign materials for senatorial and party-list candidates are set to be scrutinized as those running for local positions will only begin their campaign on March 29.
The campaign period for national candidates (senatorial and party-list bets) runs from Feb. 12 to May 11, while those running for House of Representatives and for regional, provincial, city, and municipal posts will be from March 29 to May 11.
Campaigning will be suspended for Maundy Thursday on April 18 and Good Friday on April 19 and will also be banned starting on May 12, the eve of the 2019 midterm elections.
The liquor ban will also take effect starting on May 12, while the gun ban has been in effect since Jan. 13./PN
