CAMPAIGN MATERIALS IN GOV’T PROPERTIES TO BE REMOVED

PNP issued a directive cascading the orders to all PNP regional directors for immediate action

Manila - Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde has ordered his men to immediately take town campaign materials posted in government-owned property.

Albayalde said the order was in line with the statement of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, February 18, that the the use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by government for any election campaign or any partisan political activity is prohibited.

Albayalde said he issued a directive cascading the orders of the chief executive to all PNP regional directors for immediate action to take down all election campaign materials in government offices and facilities such as billboards, tarpaulins, posters, steamers, banners, and similar campaign materials, to add more teeth to the enforcement of provisions of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10488.

“The PNP is duty bound to ensure a level playing field for honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May as an apolitical and non-partisan depu- tized agency of the Commission on Elections,” he said.

“To be more emphatic about the strictly apolitical stand of the PNP, I am serving notice to all police personnel to remain steadfast along this command policy with due regard to existing rules and regulations that prohibit personnel from engaging in partisan political activity,” Albayalde added.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups started on February 12 and will end on May 11.

The campaign period for local posts, on the other hand, will be from March 30 until May 11.

The PNP is duty bound to ensure a level playing field for honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May as an apolitical and non-partisan deputized agency of the Commission on Elections. OSCAR ALBAYALDE PNP Chief