By MARIA FEONA IMPERIAL
DAY One of the official campaign season and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave
candidates its last warning to remove illegally posted campaign materials within three days.
Beyond that, the poll body said on Tuesday it will start issuing notices and citations to candidates and parties to take them down.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a press conference that they have been receiving reports of illegally posted campaign materials under their shame campaign, some of which he had posted in his Twitter account.
Some of these illegally posted campaign paraphernalia feature senatorial bets Francis Tolentino, Sandra Cam, and presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe.
Under the fair elections law, posting on trees, waiting sheds, major thoroughfares, sidewalks, bridges and government-owned structures or in private areas without the owner’s consent is prohibited.
The official campaign period kicked off Tuesday with national candidates holding separate rallies in Metro Manila, in the Visayas and in northern Luzon.
Comelec Chair Andres Bautista has acknowledged that prior to the start of the official campaign period, there have been activities resembling forms of early campaigning. The difference starting today, he explained, is that “the meter starts to run in respect of their expenditures.”
Comelec, through the Campaign Finance Unit, is tasked to monitor the campaigns expenses of candidates to ensure that they do not exceed what is provided for in the law.
The poll body is also encouraging increased voter vigilance through participation in its #SumbongKo campaign on Twitter.
Using the hashtag, voters can send photos of illegally posted campaign materials including the exact address.
These crowdsourced reports, Jimenez said, will be documented and submitted to the Comelec Law Department, which will then decide whether they constitute an election offense.
Reports will also be sent to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for possible takedown.
Earlier, the Comelec has entered an agreement with the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways for a clean and green elections. (See Follow rules on posting of ads, candidates told)
Under the agreement, the staff of the two agencies are authorized to monitor, remove, confiscate or even destroy unlawful election propaganda materials around Metro Manila.
The agreement also promotes the use of sustainable, recyclable and environment-friendly election propaganda materials and campaign methods.
In his Twitter account, Jimenez also reminded candidates holding proclamation rallies to clean up venues 24 hours after the event.
He clarified that the shame campaign does not only involve street posters but also illegal forms of campaigning online, such as giving gifts or sponsoring raffle promos.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, persons who commit election offenses may face one to six years’ imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office and removal of their right to vote.
