Quisumbing gives one week ultimatum to remove posters

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing expects other barangay officials to remove their campaign posters until Monday next week or else they will face cases for violation of the city’s anti-littering ordinance.

He is thankful that most of the election candidates, whether they won or lost, have started taking down their campaign posters considering that these are now an eyesore on the streets.

“Now, to be clear we expect the campaign posters will be removed by next Monday or on the very latest date. Or I will file cases. Now, to be clear lang, ang among prayoridad gyud is the removal of posters along alleyways, the roads and kining mga common poster area,” Quisumbing said in yesterday’s press conference.

Since they ran for a post in the barangay, the mayor assumes that this will be part of their service to the public as well as in keeping the city clean.

“Kay nilansar sila with the assumption nga ganahan sila mo-serbisyo sa dakbayan sa Mandaue ug motabang sa atong efforts and policies especially in the field of keeping Mandaue clean and green. So, we want to make sure that they will uphold their commitment by removing all of the campaign materials in their areas,” Quisumbing said.

Under the 2006 ordinance, those who will violate the city’s law will face a penalty of P5,000.

"Failure to pay the fine and render community work within the period of 72 hours shall authorize the apprehending officers to file a criminal complaint in court. The fine shall be a minimum of P1,000 to P5, 000 at the discretion of the court," reads the ordinance.

Campaign posters, as well as those “thank you” greetings on tarpaulins, should be removed unless these items are posted in their private areas.

Quisumbing said the city government will not file case to those posters found on the candidates’ houses.

“Of course, there will be some candidates and some candidates’ supporters na ganahan ipabilin ang mga posters sa ilahang mga kandidato sa barangay. Since these are private property, of course, they are free to do so,” he explained. —/MBG (FREEMAN)