THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it would create a special task force that will go after illegal election materials once the campaign period for the May 2013 poll starts.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino explained that the agency’s move was part of its mandate given to it by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to get rid of illegal campaign posters, streamers and tarpaulins of candidates.

“May nilabas na resolution ang Comelec na nag-uutos sa MMDA at DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] na tanggalin ang mga election posters na nakalagay sa hindi common poster areas [The Comelec has already issued a resolution directing the MMDA and the DPWH to remove election poster that are place outside the common poster areas],” Tolentino said.

He added that the agency will not only remove campaign materials that are posted outside the designated areas but it will also confiscate posters that are bigger than the allowed poster size.
Tolentino vowed that no candidates will be exempted regardless of political parties or affiliation.

The MMDA chief said that he has already coordinated with the DPWH to finalize the formation of the special task force.

Earlier, various groups urged the poll body to take a strong stand against candidates posting their election materials outside the common poster areas.