QUEZON City, Philippines (February 20) – Tons of illegally posted campaign materials.
Several days after the implementation of “Operation: Baklas” and it already reached several tons. That count only includes Metro Manila, how much more on a nationwide scale?
Campaigns for elections in our country are always colorful. Each candidates, national or local, are willing to burn sums of money just to fill-out every space and nook with their faces. Posters, tarpaulins, leaflets, name it all; just to make their names ring and hopefully remembered by passers-by and folks who didn’t even care.
We wonder if there’s a rule limiting the posting of election materials. There is, actually. According to the Fair Elections Act, candidates are allowed to post their materials in public places, such as markets, barangay centers and plazas, and will be distributed equitably among them. Private places could also be used in exhibiting materials, as long as there is consent from the owner.
It even mandated the appropriate size of common poster areas. For candidates with political parties and party-lists, they’re only given 12 x 16 ft., while 4 ft x 6 ft. to independent candidates.
Unfortunately, based on what we saw from previous election campaigns up to now, these rules are rarely or not even followed. Sans election, countless faces of epals are printed in tarpaulins, with their names booming in super large fonts and mentioning the projects they have done with the power of our taxes. Trees, electric posts, traffic lights—prohibited areas– aren’t excused from being polluted with their visages.
Good thing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) partnered with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in managing excessive campaign materials of hard-headed politicians. COMELEC also urges the masses, especially netizens, to take part in a “no shame” campaign where they can take photos of the candidates-slash-violators and upload it on social media. Attention trapos and their underlings! All of you are now surrounded by watchdogs.
Those found and proven guilty will be charged with an election offense, which is punishable with up to six years in prison, disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of right to vote.
The premise of COMELEC this 2016 is a clean and green election, therefore, the use of recyclable and environmental-friendly materials is advised, plastic should be avoided.MMDA, COMELEC and DPWH are going no holds barred on this, willing to tap full pressure of law power. Let’s see if these good lads crush the almost forever winning streak of stubborn blokes.
(written by Rex Felix C. Salvador, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Cruz)