By Pearl Gumapos
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday (Feb. 21) clarified that consent is needed to take down ordinary campaign materials.
“Agree naman po ako na hindi puwedeng basta-bastang magbaklas. Kaya nga po ang polisiya ng Comelec at ang ginagawa ng ating officers ay nagpapaalam muna. Humihingi muna sila ng pahintulot doon sa property owner para magbaklas,” Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
Jimenez also said that pursuant to Supreme Court cases and their interpretation of the law, Comelec may regulate ordinary campaign materials.
“As of now, base doon sa aming interpretation doon sa batas at ng SC jurisprudence, puwede natin i-regulate pag dating sa private property iyong sukat lamang hindi iyong paglalagay or iyong dami ng ilalagay,” he said.
“Although naiintindihan natin na maraming nagrereklamo, ang Comelec ay bukas naman ang pintuan namin sa mga ganyang klaseng opinyon at willing naman kaming pag-aralan ulit iyong polisiya na ito,” he added.
Jimenez then said that, so far, no one has filed a formal request or complaint regarding in-person campaigning.
“So far, wala namang naghahain ng formal request sa amin or formal complaint so tuloy-tuloy lang po ang pag implement natin [ng Resolution No. 10732].”
Watch the full interview here:
