Incumbents told to focus on work

CEBU, Philippines - The election officer of the Comelec in Mandaue city has advised incumbent city officials who are seeking reelection to prioritize their work.

Anna Fleur Gujilde said officials who are seeking to extend their terms should not compromise their duties and responsibilities.

Gujilde also said candidates whose campaign posters violate Comelec rules will receive notices within this week.

Comelec–Mandaue has identified 38 common poster areas in the city.

Upon receipt of the letters, Gujilde said candidates will be given three days to remove these erring campaign materials.

If the materials are not removed, her office will remove these and send a report to the Comelec office in Manila, which will be the basis for the candidates’ disqualification.

Gujilde also said campaign posters cannot be set up in barangay halls.

What the rule says is that candidates should put up their own billboards, measuring 12 x 16 feet, where they can display their campaign posters, she said.

However, the election officer does not entirely put the blame on candidates since it is their supporters who do the work.

Mayor Jonas Cortes is running unopposed as mayor of Mandaue City while all of the incumbent city councilors of the city are seeking reelection under the Liberal Party banner.

However, Cortes said the election campaign has not affected the basic services of his constituents as his presence is still seen daily at the city hall.

He said he goes from house to house at dawn before he reports for work at the city hall at 8 a.m.

He said the city will celebrate its annual fiesta on May 8 but assured the public they will not wear campaign t-shirts or distribute campaign materials while attending activities in line with the fiesta celebration. (FREEMAN)