More bets asked to remove unlawful campaign materials

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked two more senatorial candidates and two more party-list groups to take down their unlawful campaign materials.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said notices were sent to Teddy Casiño, of the Makabayan coalition, and Juan Eduardo Angara of Team PNoy.

The two party-list organizations, on the other hand, are Anak Mindanao and Sanlakas.

“They have three days to remove all their illegal posters regardless of location. Appropriate case will be immediately filed if not removed,” Brillantes said.

On Friday, Comelec law department director Esmeralda Ladra sent similar notices to senatorial bet Risa Hontiveros of Team PNoy and independent candidate Edward Hagedorn.

The other recipients of the notices were Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA); Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay); 1 Joint Alliance of Marginalized Group, Inc. (1JAMG); Piston Lang Transportation Coalition, Inc. (Piston); Kabataan; and LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA).

Brillantes said these candidates have posters and streamers that were “oversized” or displayed outside the designated common poster areas.

Ladra said the Comelec would also be looking into a contest posted on Facebook allegedly by Team PNoy senatorial bet Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

She said she was informed about this only by a reporter during an interview.

“We will look into it also but so far, we have not seen it yet,” Ladra added.