Comelec on campaign posters: Blame LGUs for tolerating littering

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) can dismantle posters of politicians and stop premature campaigning, according to an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Don’t blame Comelec for the posters of potential candidates. Blame your local government for tolerating littering. They have anti-littering ordinances,” Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said in a post on Twitter.

Guanzon said the poll body has no police power, adding that potential candidates engaging in premature campaigning are beyond their authority.

She said Comelec rules on campaigning do not apply because the people behind them are not yet candidates.

“They become so when they file their certificates of candidacy (COCs),” Guanzon said.

The filing of COCs for the elections next year is from Oct. 1 to 8.

Under the Poll Automation Law, any person who files his COC shall only be considered a candidate at the start of the campaign period. Unlawful acts applicable to a candidate shall be in effect only upon the start of the campaign period under the Omnibus Election Code.

The Supreme Court affirmed the provisions of the law in a ruling issued in 2009, which removed premature campaigning as an election offense.

This means politicians and personalities eyeing posts can put up posters and infomercials as well as campaign ahead of the prescribed period.