Common poster areas
WITH today’s start of the campaign period for local candidates, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would do well to hit hard at violators of election laws, rules and regulations.
In fact, the Filipino people want officials of the Comelec to go after those who post poll campaign materials, like tarpaulins, outside the so-called “common poster areas” or CPAs.
Likewise, the public called on the poll body to penalize candidates, national and local, and political party leaders who post oversized and other illegal election campaign materials.
The Comelec, under Resolution No. 10730, may authorize the posting of campaign materials in selected public places such as plazas, markets,barangay centers and the like.
But in no instance shall a poll officer designate as common poster areas trees, plants and shrubs located along public roads, plazas, parks, school premises and other public grounds.
Likewise, candidates and political parties are allowed to post campaign materials in private places with the consent of the owners.
The poll body may, motu propio, order the removal, destruction and/or confiscation of prohibited propaganda materials or those which contain illegal statements or representations.
Of course, we are made to believe that concerned government officials have the political will to enforce the country’s election laws, rules and regulations without fear or favor.
Thus, there’s that urgent need to remove all illegal election campaign materials across the country.
Kung hindi ay mabubuwisit lang ang taumbayan, lalo na ang mga botante, at baka paratangan pa kayong may pinapanigang kandidato o partido politikal.
