Monday, March 05, 2007 Environment workers, cops remove illegal campaign posters By Jane Cadalig
THE La Trinidad election office has allowed the intervention of the police and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in dismantling illegally posted campaign materials in the town.
La Trinidad is not spared from the violations committed by some political candidates who placed their campaign posters outside the areas designated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said Election Officer Bernoulli Binayan.
The police and the Cenro have coordinated with the election office for the removal of illegal campaign posters, said Binayan.
Cenro personnel are focusing on the removal of posters that are nailed or pasted on trees.
To avoid misconceptions, Binayan advised police officers and Cenro personnel to display their identification cards when removing illegal posters.
The local election office already issued the list of designated common poster areas in the town.
Binayan asked supporters of national candidates and party-list groups to obtain copies of the common poster areas for their reference and guidance.
Candidates who violate the Comelec rules on designated poster areas could either be disqualified from holding office or face an imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, Binayan said.
As the political campaign for the May 14 elections heats up, the Comelec's campaign for the strict compliance with the rules and regulations also starts.
In Baguio, the city election office has also called on political candidates to comply with the required sizes of campaign posters and billboards. City councilors also moved for the dismantling of campaign materials that are installed outside of the designated areas.
