Comelec to start ‘shame campaign’ vs illegally posted election materials

COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista INQUIRER PHOTO / ELOISA LOPEZ

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday has issued a warning against candidates who will be caught violating the poll body’s guidelines on the posting of campaign paraphernalia.

During the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the poll body and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) regarding its “Operation Baklas” against unlawfully posted campaign materials, Comelec chair Andres Bautista said that they will identify violators of their campaign guidelines on their website.

The DPWH is tasked to take photos of the illegal campaign materials before they are taken down.

READ: Comelec seeks tighter rules on posting ads

Bautista asked the electorate to report the erring candidates along with pertinent information such as where the campaign materials were posted and when the photo was taken.

Submission for the Comelec’s “shame campaign” will commence next week during the official start of the campaign period on February 9.

Comelec said that major thoroughfares, pedestrian walkways and lampposts should be spared from campaign materials.

Meanwhile, candidates will be also called out for “excessive use of plastic materials” in a bid to hold “clean and green” polls in May.

READ: Comelec to urge bets to run green campaigns

According to the Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act, candidates can post their campaign materials in common poster areas, in private places provided they secure the owner’s consent, and in public places “allocated equitably and impartially among the candidates.” With a report from Tina Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer/CDG

READ: Pay for jingles, bets told