66 Senate bets ordered to remove illegal campaign materials in CAR

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday that it has ordered all 66 Senate bets to remove illegal campaign materials in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

In an ambush interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said all 66 senatoriables were issued notices to remove their campaign materials mounted outside the designated areas within three days.

"Sa CAR po, lahat ng 66 senators ay nabigyan ng notice. So ibig sabihin, lahat sila ay nakatanggap ng notice (In CAR, all 66 senators were given a notice. So that means they all received a notice)," Garcia told reporters.

"At in fairness, pag nakatanggap po sila ng sulat namin, tinatanggal nila (And in fairness, once they receive our letter, they really remove the illegal campaign materials)," he added.

Earlier, the Comelec said it would issue notices to candidates directing them to remove their illegal campaign materials within three days as part of the "Oplan Baklas," or the removal of campaign paraphernalia posted in undesignated common poster areas or other public areas.

On 12 February, the Comelec said about five Senate bets had violated the guidelines for campaign materials, including improper sizing and failure to comply with the use of environmentally friendly materials.

According to the poll body's guidelines, framed or posted posters made out of cloth, paper, or cardboard must have an area not exceeding two feet by three feet.

Streamers at public meetings or rallies, or those announcing these activities, should not exceed three feet by eight feet in size.

Among the public places identified by the Comelec as fit for the display of campaign materials are publicly owned electronic announcement boards, motor vehicles, mass public transport owned by the government, waiting sheds, sidewalks, schools, and premises of public transport terminals.

Placing campaign paraphernalia in public places outside of the designated common poster areas, or on private property without the consent of the owner, is prohibited.

The poll body also appealed to candidates to use biodegradable campaign materials to help protect the environment.

Failure to comply may result in the filing of an election offense, which may lead to disqualification.