Comelec tells Cebu City candidates: Take down campaign posters

Now that the election is over, the Commission on Election (Comelec) in Cebu City is asking all candidates to already start the removal of their campaign materials especially those that are mounted on public places.

CEBU CITY, Philippines — All of the candidates who sought elective posts in Monday’s election will have to take responsibility for their own litter, said Lawyer Marchel Sarno, Cebu City south district election officer.

Sarno said it is the obligation of all candidates, both winners and losers, to take down their own campaign materials to keep the city clean and orderly.

“Hinaot ta nga diha sa pagpapilit sa ilang mga supporters sa ilang posters, naa sad silay huna-huna to remove after elections. It’s a noble task on their part nga molihok pa sila after election,” said Sarno.

(We are hoping that they will also be asking their supporters who posted their campaign posters to also take these down. It’s a noble task on their part to work on the removal of their campaign materials after the election.)

Sarno said that campaign materials can especially be found in public places located in the different barangays.

Under the law, Comelec is tasked to ensure the removal of all campaign materials used in the election. But the task will have to wait until after they are able to already pay their election dues to members of the Board of Election Inspectors and volunteers.

But since they do not have enough manpower to handle the post election clean up, Sarno said, they will also be asking help from the Cebu City government.

The posting of campaign posters in public places is a violation of the city’s anti-vandalism ordinance. But with the election season, Sarno said the city government was lenient in its implementation.

Without having to wait to be told, Sarno said it would be best for all candidates in the election to initiate the removal of their own campaign materials.

“That’s the best attitude siguro nga una nilang buhaton after elections, daog man or pildi. Kahibaw ko nga ang tuyo nila panerbisyo. Siguro ang una nilang buhaton nga serbisyo, pagremove sa posters kay ngil-ad kaayo ang mga dalan dinhi,” said Sarno.

(That’s the best attitude that all candidates can display after the elections, whether they won or lost. I know that they sought elective posts in order to serve the people. The first service that they should render is to have their campaign posters removed because our streets look ugly because of these.) /dcb