Remove illegal ads, 66 senatorial bets ordered

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

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said all the senatoriables were issued notices to remove their campaign materials mounted outside designated areas within three days.

“In CAR, all 66 senators were given a notice. So that means they all received a notice,” Garcia told reporters. “And in fairness, once they received our letter, they really removed the illegal campaign materials.”

Earlier, the Comelec said it would issue notices to candidates directing them to remove their illegal campaign materials within three days as part of “Oplan Baklas,” the removal of campaign paraphernalia posted in non-designated poster areas and other public areas.

On 12 February, the Comelec said 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 of cloth, paper, or cardboard must not exceed two feet by three feet in size.

Streamers at public meetings and 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 suitable 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 the premises of public transport terminals.