The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminds candidates and their supporters to display their campaign materials in designated common poster places.
This as the Comelec gathered more than 9,000 campaign materials placed in non-designated areas all over Region XI.
As of January 20, the Comelec had gathered 9, 646 campaign materials in Region XI, including 3,178 for partylist and 6,468 senatorial campaign materials.
Atty. Gay Enumerables, Comelec Assistant Regional Director, said the campaign materials are now in the custody of the election officers.
She said the first day of “Operation Baklas” was on February 11.
She also said most posters are too large and do not adhere to the 2 by 3 feet guideline.
Comelec Resolution No. 11086 issued on December 9, 2024 states that pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers, or other written or printed materials should not exceed eight and one-half inches (8 ½ “) in width and fourteen inches (14”) in length. Posters or standees made of cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable material should only have an area of not more than 2×3 feet.
Enumerables also said they started giving written notices to the national candidates to remove the campaign materials from non-designated common poster areas.
She said candidates and political parties have 72 hours to remove all campaign materials, adding that they may issue a show-cause order against these candidates whose materials were displayed in non-designated common poster areas.
“They are given 72 hours, and later on, if wala pa gihapon natanggal, mag-submit na mi og report (They are given 72 hours, and later on, if they are still not removed, we will submit a report),” she said.
Comelec Resolution No. 11086 also states that parties and candidates who continue to post, display, or use trees and plants to spread their campaign or election propaganda will face legal action for violating these rules or the violation of Republic Act No. 35716
Bridges, temples, trees, schools, government buildings, electric posts, and other locations outside of the approved common poster zones are all forbidden places for campaign posters. Although campaign posters are allowed on private properties, the owner’s consent is still required.
She said another nationwide “Operation Baklas” will be conducted on March 28 for the start of the campaign period for the local candidates. CIO
