Comelec tears down illegal posters in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) employees tore down illegal campaign materials in Pasay City yesterday.

Comelec officer Frances Arabe said at least two truckloads of posters and streamers were hauled to the city hall for documentation. “We will submit a report to the legal department” on the campaign materials, which were posted outside designated common poster areas, she said.

Arabe said the clearing operation was carried out after local and national candidates ignored a notice by the Comelec asking them to remove their illegal campaign materials.

Among those who received notices were re-electionist Mayor Antonino Calixto; his sister Emmie, who seeks a seat in the House of Representatives; and mayoral candidate Jorge del Rosario.

Arabe said Calixto and his sister have complied with the Comelec’s order while Del Rosario has not removed his oversized tarpaulins from areas that are not common poster areas.

She said the Comelec’s law department “will evaluate if an election offense was committed by the candidates.”