Group asks Comelec to be consistent

CEBU, Philippines - The Kabataan partylist is hoping that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be consistent in its promise to monitor strictly the illegally posted campaign propaganda.

Melanie Montaño, Cebu coordinator for the Kabataan partylist, said that they hope the Comelec is not only taking notice of specific partylists in their monitoring but all parties and candidates involved.

Montaño confirmed that the partylist is among one of those Comelec Manila sent notices to take down illegally posted campaign propaganda.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes earlier warned candidates that they will be serious in disqualifying candidates and partylist groups that will not abide with campaign regulations, specifically in putting up campaign materials in common posting areas.

“I hope Comelec is consistent sa ilang panawagan,” said Montaño, adding that certain partylists for example should not be singled out in the monitoring.

She mentioned that the Akbayan partylist also has faults and should not be exempted because they are a partylist that is coddled by the Aquino administration.

“Utro man pud nga naay violation sa campaign posting,” said Montaño. (Akbayan is also violating election rules.)

However, there is no politics involved in their monitoring, assured Atty. Ferdinand Gujilde, election officer IV detailed in the Office of the

Provincial Election Officer.

Gujilde stressed that the Comelec applies the law without fear or favor.

“While it is true some violators may not have been served notice to

remove, it is just a matter of time.”

But Gujilde said that candidates and partylist groups cannot make an excuse that they will not comply with the campaign rules since the attention of all others that are violating the law are not called.

“It’s like saying that I can steal without being arrested even if caughtin the act because many others have stolen and has gotten away with it.”

Futher, Montaño said that with campaign posters from their party already being posted in Cebu, it has been made clear to all their members that it should only be posted in legitimate and authorized areas of the Comelec.  (FREEMAN)