• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections is committed to act on the proliferation of illegal campaign materials in Negros Island Region, said its regional director, Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano.
Castillano yesterday said they will document the violations, and report to their national office, which will then decide whether to press charges against violators.
“They will either face charges for the election offense or disqualification,” he added.
Posters of national candidates can be seen along the national highways, with many such campaign materials obviously oversized.
Abang Lingkod, along with 33 party-list organizations participating in the May 2025 polls, have been initially identified by Comelec as among the violators of campaign rules.
According to the Comelec, the posting of campaign materials in public places is only allowed in common poster areas.
What is prohibited is the posting of campaign materials on trees, poles and public structures, Castillano said.
He, however, said candidates can post campaign materials and billboards in any size and shape as long as they are located on private property.
But Castillano said they have to seek the permission of the owners of the private property.
Those who insist on posting campaign materials on trees will face charges not only for violation of the Fair Election Act, but also of the Forestry Law, Castillano said.*
