LMRC: No political ads at LRT-1 stations

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Management Corporation (LRMC) on Wednesday assured that all stations of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will have no tarps or posters of 2019 election candidates.

The LRMC issued the statement after Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon ordered the management of LRT-1 and LRT-2 to take down all political ads posted at train stations, particularly the Malasakit center posters.

READ: Comelec exec to LRT management: Remove ‘Malasakit’ streamers

LRMC Head of Corporate Communications Rochelle Gamboa explained that the LRT-1 has banned tarpaulins and single use plastics in all 20 stations since January 23, 2019.

Gamboa also clarified that LRT-1 has not allowed political ads since the LRMC took over the management of LRT-1 in 2015.

“LRMC has adopted the “No to Single Use Plastic Policy” last January 23,” Gamboa told INQUIRER.net in a text message. “Even before the Comelec’s directive, we have already banned tarps on LRT-1 stations. No political ads allowed ever.”

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Guanzon tagged the official accounts of LRT lines 1 and 2, saying that their stations have Malasakit Center streamers.

The Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte administration to establish one-stop shops in hospitals to hasten the delivery of free medical services to the poor.

Guanzon also earlier called out the Department of Health (DOH) for allowing Malasakit center posters bearing the name and picture of administration-backed senatorial bet Bong Go displayed in state-run hospitals.

READ: Comelec asks Go to take down ‘Malasakit’ posters

INQUIRER.net has also sought the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), which manages the LRT-2, for comment but we have yet to receive a response. /ee