By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Councilor candidates Romel Duron and Florencio Moleta Jr. topped the list of violators of campaign material regulations as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) began its crackdown at the start of the local campaign period.
On the first day of the local campaign on March 28, Comelec personnel removed 19 posters of Duron and 13 posters of Moleta that were found illegally placed on electric posts and government properties, including village halls and tanod outposts.
The list was followed by councilor candidates Alan Zaldivar with 11 posters taken down, Peter Emil Oñate II with nine, and Johnny Young, Lyndon Acap and Jan Dominic Barredo with six posters each.
Meanwhile, five posters of mayoral candidate Raisa Treñas-Chu were removed for being placed on electric posts.
Two oversized group posters from Team Sulong Gugma, led by Rep. Julienne Baronda, were also taken down for exceeding the allowable size set by Comelec.
Comelec data showed that a total of 104 illegal campaign materials were removed on the first day of the local campaign period.
Jonathan Sayno, Comelec-Iloilo City assistant officer II, told Daily Guardian that the first day of the local campaign period saw no major incidents regarding candidate conduct.
Sayno reiterated the importance of complying with campaign regulations, urging candidates and their supporters to follow rules on poster sizes and placement.
“Local candidates and supporters should observe our campaign rules—follow the two standard sizes, label the names on the posters and ensure they are placed in designated areas,” he said.
He also reminded candidates to focus on presenting their platforms and track records to the voters.
“The issue here is the platform and the track record of the candidates,” he said.
“They need to highlight these so voters can make informed decisions.”
