The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged candidates and their supporters to voluntarily remove their illegally installed poll campaign posters and related materials and not wait for orders to do so.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said those who are running in the May 12 polls may face charges and even disqualification if they violate the rules on common poster areas.
โThe candidates are required to remove them immediately even if they have not received the letter yet or if they receive the letter, they must be removed immediately. It is very difficult to have a case with the Comelec. We are not joking with this warning. We have to start filing cases,โ he stressed.
The 45-day campaign period for local candidates began Friday. A day before, the Comelec removed truckloads of illegal campaign materials all over the country.
โOur first day of the campaign went well, although of course we removed tons of garbage and materials from various parts of the country,โ Garcia said. He also urged local government units (LGUs) to enact an ordinances that would penalize those violating campaign posters guidelines.
โAs for the Comelec, we are limited to what is stated in the law. Maybe in the future, our LGUs will be able to have ordinances, whether there is an election or not, that will increase the penalties, if not increase the fines they can impose,โ Garcia said.
In Manila, reelectionists Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo held their proclamation rally in front of Our Lady of Loreto Church in Sampaloc District.
They also went on a house-to-house, joined by 4th District Rep. Edward Maceda whose wife, Dr. Giselle Maceda, reportedly plans to replace him.
In her brief rally message, Lacuna boasted about what she has accomplished during her incumbent term. โWe have accomplished so much and we will not allow anyone to belittle or insult us. Even if it is not perfect, our Manila is not a failure. Our Manila is full of promise and hope,โ Lacuna stressed. (PNA)
