Saturday, October 20, 2007 Campaign posters litter in Oro streets By Lizanilla J. Amarga
BARANGAY and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates started off Friday their campaign with some already violating the allowed campaign materials and expenses as set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) under Resolution No. 8301.
The campaign period for the twin elections commenced Friday and will end on October 27, 2007.
Cecilia Reyes, a resident from the second district, said she has observed how some candidates are now using tarpaulin even with their hand-out flyers and posters.
"Is it not that there is a limitation as to how much each candidate is allowed to spend especially during barangay elections? But now their campaign materials are those of the tarpaulin kind, which is expensive," she said.
Under Section 7 of Comelec 8301, it provides that "No candidate shall spend for his election campaign an aggregate amount exceeding P3.00 for every registered voter in the barangay where he seeks to be elected."
Also, Section 3 of the same order enumerates what are considered as lawful election propaganda. This include only handwritten or printed letters not exceeding eight inches in width and 14 inches in length and that posters of a size not exceeding two feet by three feet.
Candidates also have to put up their campaign materials in the assigned 10 common poster areas, which the election officer should designate in each barangay.
But each candidate shall be allowed to post only one poster in every common poster area.
A number of concerned residents are also urging Comelec officials to help out in the holding of a barangay assembly and public fora in their respective barangays.
Section 12 of the same Comelec resolution provides that during the campaign period a barangay assembly should be initiated. This, by the punong barangay or any kagawad who is not a candidate, or any resident of the barangay of known probity designated by the election officer.
The barangay assembly can be held with a two-day prior notice to allow all the candidates for barangay and SK to explain to the barangay voters their qualifications, programs of administration, and other information.
The members of the barangay assembly may discuss other matters relative to the election of barangay and SK officials.
"The order in which the candidate shall speak shall be determined by raffle under the supervision of the barangay official or registered voter who called the meeting. Each candidate shall be allotted equal time," the law provides.
For the holding of a public forum, Section 13 of the Comelec resolution 8301 states that, during the campaign period, non-political, non-partisan private or civic organizations may hold in any barangay a public forum.
During this forum, all candidates for barangay and SK offices shall be invited in writing to present their platforms or programs of government and other relevant issues.
The invitations shall specify the date, time, and place of the public forum and the order in which the candidates shall speak shall be determined by raffle.
Each candidate shall be allowed equal time.
The sponsoring organization shall furnish the election officer concerned with a copy of the schedule of the forum.
