By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo City Liga ng mga Barangay has committed to complying with the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) directive to remove campaign posters from barangay halls and government properties before the official campaign period for local candidates begins on March 28.
Liga President Ma. Irene Ong urged barangay captains to follow the ruling and ensure campaign materials are removed from public spaces and non-designated areas.
“To my fellow barangay captains, let us follow COMELEC’s ruling and remove all campaign tarpaulins posted on our barangay halls, public places, and electric posts before March 28,” Ong said in an interview on March 26.
She clarified an earlier misunderstanding of the directive, which some believed allowed a 72-hour grace period before election day to remove materials.
After confirming with COMELEC, Ong said all campaign posters in prohibited areas must be taken down before the start of the local campaign period.
She said removal efforts have already begun in several barangays.
“We are gradually taking them down, and so far, the response from barangay captains has been positive,” she added.
The Task Force on Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures (TF ASIS), which monitors compliance, has been conducting inspections to ensure the posters are removed.
Ong warned that barangay officials may be held accountable if COMELEC enforcers find campaign materials still posted in restricted areas.
Meanwhile, the COMELEC in Iloilo City will launch an Operation Baklas task force to dismantle illegal campaign materials once the local campaign period starts.
COMELEC Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno said the task force will include representatives from COMELEC, the Philippine National Police, Task Force ASIS, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, the City Prosecutor’s Office, and the City Engineering District Office.
Since the national campaign period began on Feb. 11, more than 1,000 illegal posters for senatorial and party-list candidates have already been removed in Iloilo City.
Section 8(f)(5) of COMELEC Resolution No. 11086, which enforces the Fair Election Act, prohibits campaign materials in schools, government offices, barangay halls, public structures, and similar properties.
COMELEC clarified that while barangay officials are not covered by the civil service prohibition against engaging in partisan political activities, they must still follow rules barring the use of government-owned or controlled properties for political purposes.
This means any campaign activity or material displayed in barangay halls, offices, vehicles, and other government facilities remains illegal, regardless of who posted them.
Republic Act No. 9006, or the Fair Election Act, mandates the designation of official spaces for campaign materials.
In Iloilo City, designated common poster areas include the seven public plazas:
- Plaza Libertad (City Proper)
- Plaza Villa (Arevalo)
- Plaza Jaro
- Plaza La Paz
- Bo. Obrero Plaza (Lapuz)
- Plaza Mandurriao
- Plaza Molo
The maximum size for common poster areas is 12 by 16 feet, with individual campaign materials for local candidates limited to 2 by 3 feet.
All posters must include “paid for by” or “paid by” with the name of the donor.
COMELEC continues to remind candidates and supporters to comply with regulations to ensure fair and orderly elections.
The campaign period for both national and local candidates runs until May 10.
Campaigning is prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day).
