JV gets 9 notices for unlawful campaign posters

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported yesterday that the poll body had sent notices of violation over unlawful campaign posters to 23 senatorial candidates and 36 party-list groups.

Based on the report of Esmeralda Ladra, director of the Comelec Law Department, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) topped the list among Senate bets and got nine notices of violation of campaign posters rules.

The Comelec sent seven notices of violation to Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara of the administration coalition Team PNoy.

Included in the list of candidates who got notices of violation is the entire slate of Team PNoy led by Sen. Loren Legarda (4 notices), Benigno “Bam” Aquino (4), Risa Hontiveros (3), Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (3), Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (2), Jamby Madrigal (1), Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (1), Cynthia Villar (2), Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (2), Sen. Francis Escudero (2), and Grace Poe (1).

Others in the list are Bangon Pilipinas Party’s senatorial bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva (5); independent candidate Edward Hagedorn (3), and Makabayan’s Teddy Casiño (2).

UNA’s senatorial bets Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (4), Sen. Gregorio Honasan (4), Ernesto Maceda (4), Richard Gordon (3), Juan Miguel Zubiri (2), Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco (2), and Nancy Binay (two) were also cited.

The Comelec report also showed that 36 party-list organizations were found to have illegal campaign posters.

Leading the list is Buhay party-list with nine notices of violation.

It is followed by LPGMA (8); Kabataan, Akbayan (4) and ACT-CIS (4); PBA, Sanlakas, Katribu, Anakpawis and Gabriela (all with 3 notices); Piston, 1JMG, Anak Mindanao, A Teacher; ABROAD; 1 BRO-PGBI; ALE; Akap-Bata and TUCP (all with 2 violations).

The groups that got one notice each were: Magdalo, Binhi, Bagong Henerasyon, An Waray, Diwa, Ave, 1 Aalalay, Angkla, 1-Lambat, Agap, Umalab Ka, 1-BAP, Alay Buhay, Abakada Guro, Ating Koop, ABS and Bayan Muna.

Under Comelec Resolution 9615, campaign posters shall measure only two feet by three feet and placed in common poster areas designated by election officer.

The resolution contains the implementing guidelines of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act.

The Provincial Joint Security Command Center (PJSCC) of Pampanga has started removing over-sized campaign posters outside common poster areas in the province under Operation Baklas.

Fernando Cot-om, PJSCC chairman, said Operation Baklas was launched over the weekend.

Senior Superintendent R’Win Pagkalinawan, Pampanga police provincial director, said the activity is part of the PJSCC’s effort to ensure fair elections by removing unlawful campaign propaganda printed on tarpaulins, which were an eye sore and distracts motorists along the roads. – With Ric Sapnu