Poll execs go around Metro Manila to examine campaign materials

Officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) went around Metro Manila to ensure that candidates complied with campaign rules it set. The Comelec’s Education and Information Department (EID) visited various sites in Metro Manila on Friday, a day before Resolution 8758, which sets campaign rules, formally takes effect. "Tomorrow we will start enforcing compliance. Gusto namin before the actual formal date, makita natin kung ano ang stado ng mga posters and streamers ngayon (Before the actual date, we want to see the state of the posters and streamers)," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters. The poll body resolution requires candidates to put up their advertisements on common poster areas like plazas, markets, and barangay centers. Party-list groups and political parties are only allowed to construct 12 x 16 feet poster areas while independent candidates may only erect 4 x 6 feet poster areas or its equivalent. Nailing campaign materials on plants and trees are also disallowed, the Comelec said. The EID went around Metro Manila in two groups, some of which went around in Pasay, Mandaluyong, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City. Local Comelec officials also went around in the provinces, Jimenez said. "What is important is that…the instances of violations are documented…properly and that's what we're trying to do here," he said. He said the pictures of campaign materials posted outside the common poster areas will be used as evidence if the candidate is to be charged. If candidates fail to remove these election materials within three days, they will be subject to the charges to be filed by the Comelec Law Department. Violation of the campaign rules may constitute an election offense, which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office. But Jimenez said that it would help if someone else other than the Comelec would file a complaint. "Makakatulong kung may (It helps if there is a) petition from other people. But remember buong-buo naman ang authority ng Comelec to enforce election laws and this is one of the things that we can enforce," Jimenez sai.d Besides the EID, Comelec Resolution 8758 has also ordered the creation of a task force that will be in charge of removing campaign propaganda materials posted outside common poster areas and monitoring persons responsible for such actions. The task force will be composed of the election officer as the chairman, the station commander of the Philippine National Police as vice chairman, and a third member from any agency deputized by the poll body. He said that the poll body is eyeing the Metro Manila Development Authority to be their deputized agency. Those intending to report a violation may call the numbers 525-9302; 525-9297; 525-9345; 525-9296; 525-9335; 525-9294; 527-5575; and 527-0821. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV