COMELEC-Dumaguete: Removal of illegal posters starts

CEBU, Philippines - The Comelec in Dumaguete City started "Operation Baklas" yesterday by removing political campaign materials placed and pasted in non-poster areas and in private residences around the city.

City election officer Jerome Brillantes said he has called the attention of a number of local candidates for possible violations of the Fair Elections Act, and that notices were sent to remind them of the provisions of the law, lest they will be disqualified by the poll body.  

Operation "Baklas" will take away posters and streamers placed in trees and public places not designated as poster areas, including campaign materials that occupy almost all the spaces in a designated poster areas.

Brillantes reminded the candidates that what is allowed by law is a 2 x 3 poster whether in the poster-designated areas or in private residences.

Several letter-notices were sent to private residences where big tarpaulins are hanged on the walls to remove them in three days upon receipt of such notices, otherwise the Comelec will remove these itself.

Brillantes made it clear the prohibition also applies to private vehicles that are conducting "recorida" around the city, promoting their respective candidates. They must also abide by the 2 x 3 rule, he said.

Strictly prohibited is the placing of election campaign materials on the side bodies of public utility vehicles, one of which was noted by Brillantes being placed on the side body of a PUJ bound for Amlan town. — (FREEMAN)