Crackdown on illegal campaign posters begins

MANILA, Philippines — Starting today, failure to remove illegal campaign materials could lead to the disqualification of candidates and party-list groups even if they win in the polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Notices will be issued today and candidates have three days to comply and remove illegal election propaganda, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.

“The Comelec will not hesitate to disqualify them for election offenses,” he said yesterday.

Violators could face up to six years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Proclamation of winning candidates could be suspended by the poll body if they refuse to comply, Garcia said.

In the 2023 village and youth council elections, Garcia said the Comelec issued show-cause orders to over 7,500 candidates for failing to remove illegal campaign posters.

The proclamation of 253 winning bets was suspended.

Garcia has urged the public to report erring candidates.

“Let’s show them that this is a revolution of the voters. Flood the Comelec with pictures so we can inform our local offices,” he stressed.

At the start of the national campaign period yesterday, the poll body mounted “Oplan Baklas” and removed illegal campaign posters, including those made with non-biodegradable materials.

If campaign materials bear candidates’ faces, Garcia said the Comelec would presume the aspirant is behind its illegal posting.

Garcia is confident the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Comelec if candidates appeal their disqualification.

As for social media campaigns, Garcia said the poll body will monitor candidates’ compliance with reporting their use of artificial intelligence.

Failing to report AI usage is an election offense.

Peaceful, orderly

The first day of the 90-day national campaign period has been orderly, the Comelec said.

“Many illegal campaign materials were removed along EDSA and major thoroughfares,” Garcia said.

Cases of election-related violence, meanwhile, declined compared to the 2022 polls, he noted.

No area in the country has been placed under the Comelec’s control and red category areas remain at 38, Garcia said.

Red category areas, or places with a history of election-related violence, intense political rivalry and threats from rebel groups, could increase at the start of the local campaign period, he said.

Meanwhile, no incidents were recorded on the first day of the campaign period, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Peaceful as no untoward incident reported so far,” PNP spokesperson and Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

Deployment will be increased in 403 towns and cities classified by the Comelec as election areas of concern, Fajardo noted.

Apolitical

The police force is committed to maintaining peace and order without influence from politicians, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said yesterday.

Marbil gave the assurance after two online news websites misinterpreted Fajardo’s response to a manifesto of support to Vice President Sara Duterte issued by the PNP Academy Class of 1991.

Retired PNPA alumni have the right to express their support for Duterte, Fajardo clarified.

An impeachment trial at the Senate is set to take place after the House of Representatives impeached Duterte.

Police officers engaging in partisan politics will be sanctioned, Marbil warned.

Ayuda ban

Politicians are banned from payout areas for cash aid distribution during the elections, Garcia said.

“I was a guest of the Mayors League of the Philippines recently. I emphasized in front of them all that they should not be present during the distribution… Only social workers should be present there, not the politicians,” he told “Storycon” on One News.

All kinds of aid distribution are banned 10 days before elections, Garcia noted.

The inter-agency group led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development must submit guidelines to the Comelec pertaining to aid distribution, Garcia said.

“We required the agency to submit guidelines. But until this time, we have not received any guidelines from the agency. That is why the first exemption that we gave for the AKAP will not be effective yet,” he said, referring to the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program. — Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano