EDITORIAL - Clean up after yourself

As in previous elections, all candidates ignored Commission on Elections rules on the display of campaign materials in the just concluded race. Such attitude has always prevailed because of the Comelec’s failure to impose penalties for violations of its own rules, and the inadequacy of common poster areas.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources took down campaign materials on trees but also did not pursue charges against anyone. So in the next elections, we can expect appeals to spare trees to continue falling on deaf ears, even among candidates who profess to be environment advocates.

In the meantime, with election day over, communities are now saddled with tons of campaign garbage that remain posted on many more trees, lampposts, power and telecommunication lines, and the walls even of government buildings.

People who were taught civic responsibility and good manners and right conduct should be mindful of the admonition to clean up after oneself. Candidates should not be reminded to tell their partisans to remove whatever materials they have posted, especially in spots outside common poster areas.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government had to tell local government units yesterday that they have three days to clean up the mess. Besides taking down the materials, the trash should be properly sorted out for recycling. Plastic, tarpaulins and even paper can be reused or turned into useful products.

After the three-day deadline lapses, the DILG should give due recognition to the most compliant and cleanest LGUs. If authorities cannot wield a stick in enforcing rules on common poster areas, perhaps carrots can work, even if the vote is over. Since many of those who posted the materials were incumbent local officials, they should lead by example in cleaning up after themselves.