The Commission on Elections (Comelec) through COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista warns candidates who will be caught violating the poll body’s guidelines on the posting of campaign materials in different parts of Metro Manila. A Memorandum of Agreement with the DPWH and the MMDA.
COMELEC chairman Andres Bautista was present during the signing of memorandum of agreement between the poll body and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) regarding its “Operation Baklas” against unlawfully posted campaign materials.
According to the COMELEC Chairman they will identify violators of their campaign guidelines on the official website of the poll body. The DPWH is tasked to take photos of the illegal campaign materials before they are taken down.
The electorate are also encouraged by the poll body to report the erring candidates along with pertinent information such as the location of the campaign materials and when the photo of the evidence was taken.
The submission of the COMELEC’s “shame campaign” will commence next week during the official start of the campaign period on February 9, 2016. Comelec said that major thoroughfares, pedestrian walkways and lampposts should be spared from campaign materials.
According to the Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act, candidates can post their campaign materials in common poster areas, in private places provided they secure the owner’s consent, and in public places “allocated equitably and impartially among the candidates.”