Comelec mulls making candidates pay for removal of illegally placed campaign posters

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections said it is looking into making candidates pay for the removal of their illegally placed campaign posters.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon called out candidates whose campaign materials are oversized and posted in prohibited areas. She particularly named senatorial bet Francis Tolentino.

“Again, I’m calling on the candidates, especially candidate Tolentino whose billboard is still there in Pasay. I see that billboard every time I go to the airport and it bothers me that the candidate doesn’t think that we have the power to order that billboard removed,” Guanzon said in a recorded television interview.

“It's not good when candidates think that the Comelec is powerless against them… It's like telling the Comelec: ‘who cares about your rules?” she lamented.

Due to this, Guanzon said she suggested hiring a firm tasked to remove the illegally placed campaign materials and charge the costs to the candidates.

“The candidates must learn a lesson,” Guanzon said.

“They should remove their posters. If they don’t remove their posters — the big ones, I was suggesting to the commission en banc today that we should just rent or contract a company that will remove these billboards and by law we can charge the expenses to them,” she added

Last week, the Comelec gave candidates who violated the campaign rules on posters until February 14 to remove their illegally placed campaign materials.

READ: Comelec gives candidates until February 14 to take down illegally placed posters

The 90-day campaign period for the national positions began Tuesday last week.

Under the poll body’s campaign rules, posters made of cloth, paper or cardboard should not be more than 2x3 feet and streamers should not exceed 3x 8 feet. These are not allowed to be installed on trees and plants.

Posters should be put up in identified poster areas and on private property with consent.

Pamphlets, leaflets, stickers and printed materials not exceeding 8.5 by 14 feet are considered lawful campaign materials.