Campaign posters abound in Cutud, Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines – Campaign materials peppered electric poles and walls in a village in Pampanga known for the annual Lenten season re-enactments of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Candidates of the 2013 national and local elections have been repeatedly reminded by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that campaigning is prohibited on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in accordance with Comelec Resolution 9615.

Campaign paraphernalia such as posters were seen on electric poles, walls, local retail stores and gates of houses in Barangay (village) San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga, a TV report said Thursday.

San Pedro Cutud turns into a local Calvary every Good Friday, becoming the stage for real-life crucifixion by a dozen men, flagellation by a thousand men and the reenactment of the Via Crusis (Way of the Cross).

The report added that campaign materials are expected to be removed by Thursday night.

Local authorities were quoted as saying that they would guard against anyone who would be giving away pamphlets, umbrellas, shirts, as well as other campaign materials that bear the faces of candidates.

An estimated three to four thousand people will stream into the village for the event and some 250 policemen are set to be deployed for security, according to local authorities.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said in previous interviews that any candidate who would go around campaigning on prohibited dates can be arrested and jailed for direct violation of campaign rules.