Comelec begins crack down on illegal campaign materials
Despite the repeated reminders, proliferation of illegal campaign materials still abounds in Iloilo City.
But this does not slip from the prying eyes of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as it stripped the metropolis of illegal campaign materials yesterday.
Members of Task Force Baklas led by Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno, together with personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, removed campaign materials placed in non-designated areas.
The operation started at around 5:30 in the morning along Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City going to B. Aquino Ave. in Mandurriao district.
The team then proceeded to Brgy. Ungka, Jaro.
Within a span of two hours, Sayno reported that they removed materials that filled a passenger jeepney.
The assortment of campaign materials belonged to both candidates of local and national politicians and party list groups.
Most of these posters, streamers, and tarpaulins are affixed at trees and lamp posts, Sayno noted.
He added that campaign materials could be placed at private properties provided the owner consented for it.
So far, Sayno said that they have not filed any case against those who violated the Fair Election Act.
However, “there are private persons who filed cases at the office and we already forwarded it to Comelec law department in Manila,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sayno said that they would put on police blotter yesterday’s operation and keep the campaign materials for future reference.
He also stressed that they would continue to remove campaign materials if it is not within the designated common poster areas.
Further, the Comelec also reminded politicians and their supporters that they should still abide with the specified sizes.
Under RA 9006, “pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials the size of which does not exceed eight and one-half inches in width and fourteen inches in length.”
Also, “cloth, paper or cardboard posters whether framed, or posted, with an area not exceeding 2 feet by 3 feet, except that, at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally, or in announcing the holding of said meeting or rally, streamers not exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet in size, shall be allowed: Provided, that said streamers may be displayed 5 days before the date of the meeting or rally and shall be removed within 24 hours after said meeting or rally.”
If there is violation, the Comelec would call the attention of the candidate or the political party.
