Yellow ribbon, orange check banned in poll precincts

MANILA, Philippines - Sporting a yellow ribbon or orange check in polling places will not be allowed because such logo is now considered a political propaganda of two presidential candidates running in the 2010 election, a top official of the Commission on Election said the other day.

James Jimenez, Comelec spokesman told reporters during the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City that yellow ribbon has been the campaign logo of Liberal Party Presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III while the orange check is the sign for Nacionalista Party Presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar.

“Yellow ribbon and orange check will not be allowed in polling places, they are considered political propaganda,” he said.

Jimenez said the two signs have been dominantly displayed on vehicles and even on campaign t-shirts of the supporters of the two candidates.

He said voters wearing t-shirt with the two symbols would be barred from entering the polling precincts.

He said the yellow ribbons and orange checkmarks, which are now being sported at the back windshield of vehicles, are now considered political propaganda, which is prohibited inside polling places.

Jimenez, however, clarified that the Comelec is still deliberating on how to deal with yellow, orange and green t-shirts, which are also worn by supporters of Aquino, Villar and Gibo Teodoro.

At present he said the Comelec has not yet come out on how to deal with the color campaign of the Presidential candidates.

Jimenez said if the Comelec will not come out with guidelines then wearing the three colors will be allowed during Election Day, provided that there are no political markings on the t-shirts, he said.