The official 45-day campaign period for local candidates has commenced, running until May 10, with Commission on Elections Chairperson George Garcia reminding all aspirants: “Don’t be stubborn,” and to strictly adhere to campaign regulations.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11086, campaign materials such as posters should not exceed two feet by three feet, while streamers, allowed only during public rallies, must be no larger than three feet by eight feet.
This law also allows candidates to use campaign materials in mobile units/vehicles, whether engine or manpower-driven or animal-drawn, with or without sound systems/loud speakers, and with or without lights; paid advertisements in print or broadcast media; outdoor and static or light-emitting diode (LED) billboards owned by private entities; mobile/ transit advertisement on public utility vehicles; and signboards displayed in the candidate’s headquarters only.
On the other hand, among the prohibitions in campaigning are displaying campaign materials on LED display boards along highways/streets, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors posted on walls of public buildings and other similar government-owned devices/motor vehicles particularly those bearing government license plates; and using public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government.
The posting of campaign materials in waiting sheds, sidewalks, street/lamp posts, electric posts/wires, traffic signages, and other signboards erected on public property, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads/highways, schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers, public structures and buildings/any edifice; those within the premises of public transport terminals owned and controlled by government such as airports, seaports, docks, piers are also illegal.
For radio and television advertisements, local bets cannot have more than 60 minutes of TV ads on each TV station; nor can they have more than 90 minutes of radio plugs in each radio station.
Newspaper advertisements for candidates in Negros Oriental must not exceed one half page for tabloids, and that these cannot be published more than three times a week in each newspaper.
For those engaging in outdoor campaign advertisements, they cannot have more than one month of advertisements in a certain static/LED billboard, and within a radius of 500 hundred meters from each other.
Comelec Chair Garcia said he has directed local Comelec personnel to put up more common poster areas in their respective areas.
He also reminded the candidates that when holding campaign rallies, candidates and political parties should adhere to the regular policies of local government units, including seeking the necessary permits.
“Also, make sure you won’t be a disturbance in the streets and cause heavy traffic,” he added.
Garcia said violators of the guidelines will be subjected to notices to be sent to the concerned candidates. (PNA)
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Photo Caption: Fr. Hendrix Alar, the Oeconomus of the Diocese of Dumaguete, blesses Team Kasaligan and the Nationalist People’s Coalition led by Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria, as the campaign period for local positions began Friday. (PIO photo)
