Comelec to go after violators

Candidates with posters that violate electoral campaign regulations can expect receiving a formal letter from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) starting today.

Comelec provincial officer Ferdinand Guijilde said they will give candidates a chance to remove the illegal campaign materials otherwise they will ask the poll body’s central office in Manila to step in and sanction the violators.

“Campaigning for a seat in government should be fair and square. Whether or not candidates will follow our advice is a matter of conscience,” he told reporters yesterday.

Guijilde said they tapped the services of the Department of Public Works and Highways as well as the Philippine National Police to monitor and take note of the illegal campaign materials.

“Illegal campaign materials should be removed. They (candidates) should follow the guidelines,” he said.

Under the law, campaign posters should be placed only on designated common poster areas which were earlier determined by poll officials.

According to Guijilde, the common poster areas were chosen due to “heavy pedestrian traffic,” allowing the voters access to the campaign materials.

He reminded candidates that the maximum size for campaign posters should be 2 x 3 feet while campaign leaflets must only be 8.5 x 14 inches.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9615, campaign materials are prohibited on trees, telephone and electrical lines and posts, school gates, different public utility vehicles such as bus, jeepney, tricycle, pedicab, as well as other non-common poster areas.

With the start of the local campaign period last Saturday, Guijilde said overseized campaign posters which were earlier mounted should be removed.

He said anyone who will be found guilty of violating the campaign guidelines shall be imprisoned for one to six years.

Guijilde said violation of campaign guidelines shall also be a ground for the candidate’s disqualification.

Comelec Regional Director Temie Lambino earlier said the Comelec will soon release “easy formats” for citizens to report an electoral violation.

Lambino encouraged citizens to do their part by reporting violations and if needed, making a citizen’s arrest if a violation is being done in one’s presence.