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HUNDREDS of illegally placed posters and billboards
of local officials in Quezon City have been torn down by the Metro
Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel as part of the
agency’s task to go after erring candidates.
The MMDA has been authorized by
the Commission on Elections to monitor and arrest individuals
posting unlawful campaign materials in Metro Manila.
During the agency’s operation
Tuesday, illegally placed posters of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and
other city councilors including the actress-turned-politician Aiko
Melendez on Commonwealth Avenue were removed by the MMDA men.
Most of the posters were
installed on electric cables that are not only illegal, but could
also pose danger to the public as it may cause short circuit.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos
tapped the MMDA to monitor the installation of illegal campaign
materials and dismantle those that are installed along unauthorized
areas in Metro Manila.
City’s majority leader
councilor Ariel Enrile Inton, for his part, called on his colleagues
to instruct their men to strictly follow the rules in the
installation of posters to avoid getting into trouble.
The agency fielded around 4,000
personnel to guard 1,400 barangays in Metro Manila against illegal
campaign paraphernalia.
MMDA general manager Robert
Nacianceno said they have already recorded several violations
committed by political candidates, which will be forwarded to the
Comelec.
“We will submit these documents
to Comelec anytime, in case they want to use them as evidence,”
said Nacianceno. “It’s up to the Comelec.”
The MMDA expects the number of
violations to increase soon as the official campaign period of local
candidates start.
--Jefferson Antiporda
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