2 Senate bets, 6 party-list groups hit over illegal posters

TWO senatorial candidates and six party-list groups have been ordered by the Commission Elections (Comelec) to remove their campaign materials for failure to comply regulations.

Notices have been sent to Team PNoy bet Risa Hontiveros and independent Edward Hagedorn, said Comelec law department head Esmeralda Ladra in a briefing on Friday.

Among party-list groups, notices were delivered to the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay), 1 Joint Alliance of Marginalized Group, Inc. (1JAMG), Piston Lang Transportation Coalition, Inc. (Piston), Kabataan, and LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA).

Ladra said Hontiveros’ posters were found in Dumaguete City while Hagedorn’s was seen in Osmeña Highway, Manila.

Failure to take down illegal campaign materials within three days upon receipt of the notices would mean filing of election cases, according to the poll body.

“If you don’t remove these campaign materials, kami sa Comelec will motu propio or in case may magsumbong sa amin, file cases against them,” said Ladra.

Ladra said these parties and candidates have yet to act on the notice although Buhay already sent a letter denying the placement of the illegal campaign posters.

Under Comelec Resolution 9615, parties and candidates may post any lawful campaign material only in authorized common poster areas in public places and in private places provided it has the consent of the owner.

Violation of the said resolution entails an election offense, which carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and prohibition to occupy public office. (HDT/Sunnex)