Posters appear in parts of Metro as campaign period starts

Campaign ads, posters and streamers of candidates running for national posts in the country's first nationwide automated polls began appearing on papers and some areas in Metro Manila as the campaign period started early Tuesday. In Quezon City, radio dzBB's Roland Bola reported that supporters of some candidates posted campaign materials even on bridges, buildings (including schools), and even on tree trunks. Some even hung campaign materials on power cables in some parts of the city, the report said. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had barred the hanging or placing of campaign materials on trees and on school buildings.

Even candidates running for local posts had their campaign materials posted in public places, in the guise of wishing residents in advance a "Happy Valentine’s Day." Such campaign materials were seen along the NIA Road in Quezon City, the report said. When accosted by authorities, supporters of some senatorial candidates who were caught placing posters at a center island claimed they did not know their actions were violations of election rules. The supporters, who declined to be named, said they were paid P200 each to put up the campaign materials. In Manila, posters of candidates running for national posts were placed in some areas in the Quiapo and Intramuros districts. In southern Metro Manila, dzBB's Manny Vargas reported posters of a presidential bet and his running mate lined Metro Rail Transit (MRT) posts from the Magallanes Flyover to Taft Avenue. Some supporters posting the campaign materials on MRT columns were arrested, the report said. Posters of candidates also lined F.B. Harrison Street and Taft Avenue until Makati City. In Pasay City, a presidential bet had his tarpaulins placed at the corners of streets, with his image and "signature finger sign." Minors tapped to post campaign materials Minors and children were tapped to post campaign materials in some areas, a radio report said early Tuesday. Radio dwIZ reported children were among those found posting materials in some areas in Taguig City. But Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina stressed adults found violating the election code will be arrested and charged. "Arestado yan, may kaukulang kaso yan (They will be arrested and charged)," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. On Monday, at least nine people were arrested in Manila's downtown area after they were caught posting campaign materials at the center island of Rizal Avenue. At least two minors were among those arrested last Monday. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV