More PNoy, UNA bets warned on propaganda

MANILA, Philippines — Shortly after it notified the administration for slate campaign materials that violated posting rules, the poll body sent warning to more individual candidates of Team PNoy and the opposition United Nationalist Coalition (NPC) for similar violations.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr posted on his Twitter account later afternoon Monday, February 25, the names of additional senatorial candidates with oversized and inappropriately displayed campaign materials:

Notices to remove illegal posters were also sent to Team Pnoy candidates (joint ad), Sen. Chiz Escudero, Jamby Madrigal & Bam Aquino.

— Sixto Brillantes Jr. (@ChairBrillantes) February 25, 2013

We notified Sen. Trillanes, Cong. Jack Enrile, Migz Zubiri, Nancy Binay & Sen. Koko Pimentel to remove their illegal posters.

— Sixto Brillantes Jr. (@ChairBrillantes) February 25, 2013

Comelec Resolution No. 9615, which lists down this year’s campaign rules, prohibits the following:

• posting of campaign or propaganda materials “outside authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner”;
• posting of campaign or propaganda materials that exceed 2 feet by 3 feet;
• campaign headquarters signboards exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet.

With the latest set of notices, the Team PNoy slate has now received the most number of warnings to individual candidates. This is apart from the notice sent to the whole slate for an illegal poster bearing the group’s photo.

Last week, 4 senatorial candidates were already given notices regarding violations on posting campaign materials. These candidates were Risa Hontiveros, Ed Hagedorn, Sonny Angara, and Teddy Casiño.

The Comelec has vowed to charge – even disqualify – violators who fail to remove illegal posters even after receiving an official notice.

Even party-list groups

Brillantes also tweeted the names of groups that have violated the rules on campaign materials:

Notices to remove illegal campaign posters were also served on AnakPawis & Magdalo. Kabataan Partylist was served its 4th notice to remove.

— Sixto Brillantes Jr. (@ChairBrillantes) February 25, 2013

Kabataan has already obtained 3 notices last week.

Also warned last week were:

• Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA)
• Buhay Hayaang Yumabong (BUHAY) – 3 notices
• 1 Joint Alliance of Marginalized Group (1JAM)
• Piston Land Transportation Coalition (PISTON)
• LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA) – 3 notices

These candidates and groups are given 3 days upon receipt of the notice to take down their unlawful campaign materials. Otherwise, the Comelec will initiate election offense charges against them, which may lead to their disqualification.

Brillantes earlier thanked the public for all reports they had sent to the poll body regarding campaign violations, and warned candidates of more notices in the coming days. – Rappler.com