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THE Commission on Elections on Tuesday reminded local
candidates who have filed their certificates of candidacy they have
three days to remove their unauthorized campaign materials.
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos
Sr. said failure to remove the materials, usually in the guise of
public service reminders and fiesta greetings, would be grounds to
disqualify them.
“Notices were given to them as
they filed their COCs to remove all unauthorized propaganda.
Otherwise, they would be subjected to election violations,” Abalos
said.
He mentioned the posters and
banners of Manila mayoralty candidate Ali Atienza showing him with
his father, incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza.
Ali Atienza filed his candidacy
last Monday. He had three days or until Wednesday to remove his
materials.
But Abalos said the Comelec could
not go after candidates who have not filed their COCs. The deadline
for the filing for local candidates is Thursday.
“We have no jurisdiction over
them. They are not yet candidates,” he said.
During the 2004 elections the
Comelec filed charges of premature campaigning against Manila Rep.
Teodoro Bacani and Manuel Bagatsing. The case was filed three years
ago by Roy de Leon, a private citizen.
The Comelec en banc said the two
violated the Fair Elections Act (Republic Act 9006), which
authorizes the poll body to issue the rules and regulations on
campaigning.
Under Comelec Resolution 6520,
passed on January 6, 2004, propaganda materials such as posters,
streamers, stickers or paintings on wall showing the picture, image
or name of person and all advertisements and prints in radio and
television of a person who becomes a candidate have to be removed
within three days after the rules take effect.
--William B. Depasupil
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