MANILA – Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday asked local government units (LGUs) to help the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in its crackdown on illegal campaign materials in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30.
Abalos also directed LGUs to provide Comelec with the necessary equipment to remove the illegal campaign materials, appoint LGU personnel who will help the poll body during the campaign period between Oct. 19 and Oct. 28, and issue executive orders to designate LGU personnel and barangay watchmen while providing them with the necessary assistance to do their task, among other responsibilities.
Under its Memorandum Circular No. 2023-105 dated July 28, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, along with LGUs and other government agencies, are deputized by the Comelec through its Resolution No. 10924 to aid the poll body in removing and tearing down unlawful election materials.
Section 240 of Comelec Resolution No. 10924 makes it unlawful to print, publish, post and distribute any form of campaign materials that do not bear the name of the payor or candidate who will benefit from the election propaganda printed or aired.
Posting, displaying or exhibiting any election material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or on private property without the consent of the owner is also prohibited. (Dexter Cabalza © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
