Poll official: ‘Identify donors in campaign materials’

THE public has the right to know the donors of print and broadcast campaign materials of politicians seeking office in the May elections, the director of the Commission on Elections in Region X (Comelec-X) said.

Lawyer Renato Magbutay said that under Comelec Resolution 8758, full disclosure of the identities of campaign donors in campaign materials and advertisements is required. This entails the display of the name and address of the donors in all campaign mediums, he said.

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“This rule should be followed by all candidates and political parties because it is unlawful to exhibit campaign materials donated to a candidate or political party without their names,” Magbutay said in an interview with RMN-dxCC Tuesday.

He said the restriction aims to monitor the spending of each candidate and to observe campaign rules as the campaign period for national position formally started Tuesday.
 
For his part, Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano (2nd district) said he was in favor of placing the names of the donors of campaign materials. 

“Uyon kaayo ko ana kay pabor na kanamong mga kandidato nga walay kuwarta,” Emano told the Sun.Star after heading a rally with his Nacionalista Party group at the Freedom Kiosk in Cagayan de Oro yesterday.

Magbutay said is bent on ensuring a level playing field for all candidates by enforcing campaign rules, especially on the posting of campaign materials. 

He said Comelec can take down posters at the expense of the candidates or political parties, and that notices have already been sent to concerned candidates. 

Earlier, the Comelec has directed election officers in cities and municipalities to create a task force that will take down posters and streamers displayed outside the common poster areas.