Authorities bracing for campaign materials

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will partner in ensuring campaign materials for the May elections are put up only in places designated by Comelec.

Provincial Comelec Election Officer, Lionel Marco Castillano, said the three agencies have signed a formal Memorandum of Agreement for the “Oplan Baklas” program.

Under the arrangement, DPWH will provide the manpower to remove campaign materials while the PNP will provide security personnel.

The election period for candidates running for national posts will begin on Tuesday, February 9.

Comelec Resolution No. 10049 or the “Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fair Elections Act for May 20166 polls” mandates every municipa-lity and city to organize a task force.

The election officer of the place will act as chairman of the task force while the chief of police will act as vice chairman.

The DPWH will be the member.

Candidates can put up campaign materials at barangay centers, markets, and plazas. The Comelec has allowed the following sizes for the materials: 12ft x 16ft for candidates with political parties, 12ft x 16ft (for patylist groups), and 4ft x 6ft (for independent candidates).

Candidates may not put up campaign materials at highways, bridges, center islands, flyover, sky walks, under pass, trees, and other public places not designated as common poster areas.

Because the campaign period for candidates running for local posts will begin on March 25 yet, only the campaign materials of those running for national positions are covered by the campaign, Castillano said.

He also said campaign materials put up in private places are exempted because it presupposes that the owner of the place have consented to the placement.  (FREEMAN)