Crackdown on illegal campaign posters starts
REMOVAL of campaign materials that don’t conform to size requirements and were posted on non-designated areas in Metro Cebu started yesterday evening.
Two teams consisting of personnel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the police covered Cebu City’s north and south districts to remove illegally sized and placed posters.
Two trucks provided by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were used to haul the posters and other campaign materials that were removed.
Regional Comelec Director Jose Nick Mendros said they chose to conduct their “Oplan Baklas” at night to avoid creating traffic as well as the hot weather.
“We’re not trying to create controversy. We are not trying to create news. We are only implementing the law,” Mendros said.
Mendros issued a memorandum last month for the region-wide synchronized Oplan Baklas from April 12 up to April 14.
Mendros said they would have to ask the people manning the headquarters of Sen. Grace Poe to remove the large tarpaulin fronting their office located along Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City.
“They’re entitled to a bigger signage with headquarters (print), but that is not a signage for campaign headquarters but campaign material. We won’t leave them alone until they remove it,” Mendros said.
He said no candidates will be charged yet for violating the campaign rules since the Comelec has not issued a prior written warning to them.
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