LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Multiple campaign posters and tarpaulins of political candidates have been defaced or torn down in Badoc and other areas in Ilocos Norte, drawing concern from local camps over alleged election sabotage.

Comelec Ilocos Norte, through Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Joel Gines, confirmed on Wednesday, 16 April, that such acts may constitute an election offense if the materials were lawfully placed either in designated common poster areas or on private property with the owner's consent.

Gines clarified that under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, the unauthorized removal or destruction of campaign materials is a punishable offense that may lead to imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office, and even the loss of suffrage.

He added that these penalties serve to uphold fairness and discipline during the election period. The act of intentionally damaging or defacing posters may also fall under malicious mischief as defined in Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code, with penalties depending on the value of the damage inflicted.

Republic Act No. 9006, or the Fair Election Practices Act, further reinforces these restrictions, stating that tampering with or removing properly placed and regulation-compliant campaign materials may also be considered a violation of fair election practices.

Gines also stressed that only the Comelec and its authorized teams have the mandate to remove illegal or oversized posters. Private individuals — unless the posters are on their personal property and placed without permission — have no authority to take down such materials.

The poll body official called on the general public to respect campaign materials and report violations directly to the local Comelec office.