QUEZON PROVINCE, Philippines – Reelectionist Mayor Shierre Ann Palicpic of Pagbilao in Quezon province recently irked netizens after her slate’s campaign materials covered the town’s Andres Bonifacio shrine. The administration candidates are running under the National Unity Party (NUP).

Netizens expressed different reactions to the photos that circulated online.

Ariel Alcala called on the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Pagbilao to take down the posters, adding that the alleged violators “should be penalized accordingly.”

Another netizen, Terence Dacara Verona, said: “Bago (ninyo) takpan ang rebulto ng (Supremo), siguraduhing matatapatan (ninyo) o mahigitan pa ang nagawa (niya) para sa bansa. Mga bastos na pulitiko!”

(Before you cover up the Supremo’s monument, make sure you will equal or exceed what he has done for the country. Rude politicians!)

Alcala cited the Fair Elections Act as the basis of his complaint. The act allows the Comelec to regulate campaign materials to ensure “assure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.”

Palicpic replied to Alyson Sangalang‘s concern, clarifying that the Comelec designated the shrine as a common poster area: “Araw ng March 27, agad po pagkarating sa amin ng impormasyon. Ang lugar po na nabanggit ay Comelec common poster area. Bagaman hindi pa na-coordinate nang mabuti sa mga volunteers namin dahil may iba po tagapamahala kami ng materials, still I take full responsibility for their actions being the leader of the group.“

(On March 27, we immediately received the information. The area mentioned is a Comelec common poster area. While they have not fully coordinated with the volunteers because we have a different supervisor for materials, I still take full responsibility for their actions being the leader of the group.)

The campaign materials were pulled out immediately in the evening.

Common poster areas are spaces political parties and party-list groups chose for their candidates’ campaign materials. The Comelec allows for not more than 10 public places for parties which include plazas, markets, and barangay centers.

However, Comelec Resolution 10049, signed February 2016, said candidates cannot post campaign materials on public structures, which include schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers.

Oliver Lustado Luce, a resident of Pagbilao, commended Palicpic for resolving the issue.

“Well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that when you commit a mistake, your many good acts will be forgotten. I commend Mayor Palicpic for handling the issue very well and quickly resolving it. [Maybe] there really was just a miscommunication between her and the volunteers,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

In his reply on Facebook, Palicpic apologized for what happened and said she hoped the issue will not look like a campaign ploy.

“Sana lang ang akin pong kababaang loob na paghingi ng paumanhin ay wag masabi na pamumulitika at kalapastangan ang minsang pagkakamali,” Palicpic added.

(I just hope my humility in asking for forgiveness will not be seen as politicking and making mistakes will not be seen as a form of profanity.) – Rappler.com 

Abigail Abigan is Rappler’s lead Mover in Quezon province.