By Sandy Araneta
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Harriet Demetriou warned yesterday the four Pasay City mayoral candidates in the recall elections that they have only 48 hours to remove illegally-posted campaign materials at stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT).
The Comelec earlier cited Ricardo Santos and Pee Wee Trinidad, two of the four bets, as the candidates with the most campaign materials illegally posted in areas not designated by the Comelec. The other contenders are incumbent Mayor Jovito Claudio and Romulo Marcelo.
In areas other than LRT stations, the candidates have three days to comply with the order to avoid violation of the Omnibus Election Code. The poll body has designated nine common poster areas in District 1 and seven for District 2.
In a press conference at the Comelec head office in Intramuros, Manila, Demetriou also announced that canvassing will be held at the Cuneta Astrodome and not in the Pasay City Hall.
The Comelec had earlier asked the four candidates to attend the press conference, but only Trinidad and Marcelo attended. Santos was represented by his counsel, Rey Bagatsing, and Claudio by Evelyn Jimeno.
Claudio has maintained that he will never attend any Comelec-initiated gathering in connection with the recall elections, as he stood pat on his position that this political exercise is "illegal."
Jimeno stressed her client will not take part in dialogues, consultations nor actively campaign because of his belief that a temporary restraining order should be issued in his favor.
In another development, Demetriou said she will ask Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero to temporarily re-assign Pasay City Prosecutor Francisco Veron of Pasay, vice chairman of the board of canvassers, during the election period.
Demetriou said that she has received reports that a brother of Veron has been actively campaigning for Claudio. Demetriou will ask for a replacement who is not a resident of, has no business, nor relatives in Pasay City.
Demetriou said that she will assign tabulators from Comelec personnel, and not Pasay City Hall personnel to avoid partiality.
She announced that areas will be assigned to each candidates' representatives -- one lawyer, one watcher and one substitute -- during the canvassing.
She asked that identities of the representatives be submitted to the Comelec on or before April 5. The elections will be held on April 15.
She also said delivery of ballots will be done by precinct, and that the Comelec will divide and segregate these ballots, not the City Treasurer's Office. Pre-packed ballots will be sent per precinct.