Comelec warns local bets vs unlawful campaign materials
The Commission on Elections will take down unlawful propaganda materials of local candidates even if it is not yet their campaign period.
Chairman Andres Bautista said yesterday Operation Baklas, in partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways, will not spare anyone.
“Yes, all posters that are not in the proper places or oversized will be removed,” he said. “We take no sides.”
Bautista spoke to reporters after inspecting the MMDA storage facility for collected materials under the Santolan flyover in Quezon City.
Bautista said propaganda materials recklessly posted anywhere would be torn down.
“You will only be wasting your money,” he said.
“We don’t spare anyone, we are colorblind in this campaign. You will just see your posters in the storage facility of the MMDA.”
MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said they have collected at least seven tons of illegal posters and streamers since Feb. 9 when the campaign period for national candidates started.
“In the beginning, we were collecting some 1.81 tons (a day),” he said.
“But as the days passed by, we were getting less materials so maybe they saw that it’s all for naught for them to put up posters.”
Carlos said he hopes the trend would continue, especially since the campaign period for local candidates is set to start on March 25.
“This actually requires behavioral change,” he said.
“If they see that they are just wasting their money, they will realize it is better not to put up unlawful materials.”
Seniors and PWDs
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares urged yesterday the Comelec to designate voting precincts for senior citizens and persons with disability on May 9.
He saw the special precincts in Cubao, Quezon City when the Comelec conducted mock polls last Saturday.
“I hope this will be done in other polling places,” he said.
“We just need the proper implementation of the law and not rely on mall voting, which may be questioned before the Supreme Court.”
Colmenares was referring to Republic Act 10366, of which he was one of the authors and which President Aquino signed into law on Feb. 15, 2013.
It is titled: An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens.
Colmenares counted about five million senior citizens and more than a million PWDs.
The law aims to help them exercise their right of suffrage, he said.
The Comelec plans to set up precincts in several malls in Metro Manila to facilitate voting.
Some of the precincts will be for senior citizens and PWDs.
Military: Vote freely and safely
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri has urged soldiers to “let the people vote freely and safely” on May 9.
Speaking to members of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command Thursday, Iriberri said they must not engage in partisan politics.
“Just focus on your job, let us ensure that our people can exercise their right to vote, freely and safely. Just implement the law so you cannot go wrong.”
Iriberri visited the Eastmincom headquarters to check on the progress of security operations and the morale of soldiers.
Eastmincom commander Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero led the field commanders and men in welcoming Iriberri.
Iriberri also congratulated the officers and men of Eastmincom for a job well done.
He urged the soldiers to continue the pursuit with all the concerned parties of Bayanihan and maintain the good rapport with communities in achieving peace in the region. –