Comelec: Candidates’ posters of products, services are poll materials

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates vying for a seat in the May 13 elections to now remove billboards of their product or service endorsements as it is considered a campaign material, thus, tantamount to poll violation.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said they will soon issue notices against candidates whose billboards of product or service endorsements are still displayed along major roads, and ask them to remove it immediately.

“Kahit ‘yung mga ganyang material, ‘yung mga endorsements after due notice, after proper notice, bibigyan din natin sila ng pagkakataon na tanggalin ‘yung materials on their own,” Jimenez said in a press briefing in Makati on Friday.

Jimenez said candidates will be given three days to remove their product or service posters and tarps.

“Paano ‘yung kontrata nila sa pag-endorso? Tandaan natin na lahat ng kontrata natin kailangan sumusunod  sa batas ng Pilipinas,” he stressed.

Jimenez further said even journalists running for elections should halt from reporting in news programs.

“Katunayan kayong mga broadcaster kung nangyari kayo ay tumakbo [sa eleksyon] ‘yung mismong mga station ninyo papipigilan kayo sa pag-ere kasi kasama ‘yan sa pagsunod natin sa mga batas ng Pilipinas,” he said.

Jimenez reiterated that any campaign material that promotes a candidate will be regarded as poll propaganda.

“Commercial endorsement po ang tawag diyan. Tandaan po natin na ang definition ng campaign material ay lahat ng nagpo-promote ng pagkapanalo o pagkatalo ng isang kandidato,” Jimenez pointed out.

“At dahil diyan, ang sumasakop na kahit na ibang material na hindi nakalagay na ‘iboto niyo or election or halalan’ kahit mga walang katagang ‘yun, ‘yan ay tinatrato nating election campaign propaganda,” he added. /kga