MMDA tells candidates: Don’t waste your money, our time on illegal campaign posters

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia warned candidates and their supporters on Friday not to waste their time removing illegal campaign materials.

“I am warning all the candidates all the supporters, huwag niyo na po sayangin oras namin sa pagbabaklas po niyan (don’t waste our time removing your campaign materials),” Garcia said in a press briefing in Makati on Friday.

Candidates must not waste their money on illegal posters as the guidelines on campaign materials are already provided by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the MMDA added.

“Alam niyo siguro kung tama o mali so wag niyo na sayangin pera niyo diyan definitely pag nasa puno sa mga traffic lights sa public places e yan may mga guidelines ang Comelec kung ano ang bawal o hindi – iyan po ay tatanggalin natin,” Garcia said.

(You probably know what is right and wrong. So don’t waste your money because definitely campaign materials placed on trees, traffic lights and other public places will be removed based on Comelec guidelines.)

Garcia then stressed that they would remove all kinds of prohibited campaign materials.

“Sa side ng MMDA, may strict instruction to remove all [illegal posters] kahit na sino pang mukha yung nandiyan. Remove lahat (On MMDA’s side, there is a strict instruction that whoever poster it is that is not in the properly designated area will be removed),” he said.

Earlier, a press briefing was conducted to explain the collaboration between the Comelec, the Philippine National Police (PNP), MMDA and Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding the illegal campaign posters.

According to Comelec, prohibited election materials are those posted outside common poster areas such as markets and parks.

Posting campaign materials in private properties without the owner’s consent is also not allowed.

Under election rules, only posters and banners with a maximum size of 61 centimeters by 91 cm or 91 cm by 61 cm are allowed. /ee

READ: Comelec issues final call for removal of illegal posters