By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has designated seven public plazas in Iloilo City as common poster areas for the May 12, 2025 elections, with the official campaign period for national candidates starting on Feb. 11 and for local candidates on March 28.
Iloilo City COMELEC Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno said the move complies with Republic Act No. 9006, or the Fair Elections Act, which mandates the allocation of official spaces for campaign materials.
“This is in preparation as per COMELEC regulations. The campaign period for national candidates and party-list groups will begin on February 11, while the campaign for local elective positions will start on March 28,” Sayno said in an interview.
The designated poster areas include Plaza Libertad in City Proper, Plaza Villa in Arevalo, Plaza Jaro, Plaza La Paz, Bo. Obrero Plaza in Lapuz, Plaza Mandurriao, and Plaza Molo.
Sayno explained that the areas were assigned through a raffle during a meeting with candidate representatives to prevent disputes over space allocation.
“For national candidates, the maximum allowable size for common poster areas is 12 by 16 feet, which includes space for their local counterparts, whose maximum size is 2 by 3 feet,” Sayno added.
He stressed that posters exceeding the size limit or placed outside designated areas will be removed. Materials displayed before the official campaign period will also be taken down once campaigning begins.
Sayno cited Iloilo City’s Regulation Ordinance No. 2013-330, as amended by Regulation Ordinance No. 2020-119, which prohibits the installation of billboards, streamers, advertisements, and other materials without a permit from the Business Permits and Licensing Division (BPLD).
Violators caught in the act could face legal consequences, including charges for non-compliance with RA 9006, which carries penalties of imprisonment for one to six years.
COMELEC reminded candidates and their supporters to adhere to election rules to avoid disqualification and other legal repercussions.
