MEXICO -- A congressman in Pampanga seeking for reelection had ordered Tuesday for the removal of his campaign materials violating Commission on Elections’ elections guideline to set a clear example among local candidates here.
Third district representative and Lakas-Kampi-CMD district chairman Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales has also ordered the removal of giant posters and streamers and asked his community leaders to account for posters in barangays where they have been placed.
Gonzales asked Lakas-Kampi-CMD party mates in the district to observe the rules of the Fair Elections Act as the campaign period begins on March 26.
Gonzales is calling his party mates to put up campaign materials only in common designated poster areas frequented by the public including plazas, markets, and barangay centers or halls, where many candidates and their supporters still continue to violate the law by putting up campaign streamers or posters in electric posts and trees.
"We must also protect the trees from posters and campaign materials that are placed by our supporters. Complying with the law is essential in the conduct of a peaceful election,” Gonzales said.
Apart from electric posts and trees, prohibited public places include streets, bridges, buildings, wires, schools, shrines and main thoroughfares, according to Gonzales.
Section 29 of Comelec Resolution No. 8758 in the implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act stipulates that "All materials and advertisements showing the picture, image or name of the person made or done in violation of election laws prior to campaign period shall be immediately removed by said candidate within three days after the effectivity of this rules and the start of the campaign period.”
Gonzales said fellow candidates must also follow the prescribed size of a campaign poster, which should be 2x3 feet and banners should not exceed 3x8 feet.
Campaign paraphernalia that are posted in private buildings or residences are allowed as long as the concerned party has obtained the consent of the owner, according to the Comelec.
“Compliance with the law is the first indication that a candidate is worthy of the peoples’ trust,” Gonzales added.
In a radio interview Thursday, Gonzales urged his supporters to follow the Comelec requirements on the size of political posters and where to place them.
“We have to serve as example not only in our district and province but for the rest of the country,” he said.
Gonzales, now on his second term as congressman, said as a lawmaker it was his responsibility to tell his supporters to follow the law during the political campaign.
The 45-year-old lawmaker is expected to win his reelection bid in view of what many believe as unprecedented performance in terms of bringing major infrastructure projects and numerous socio-economic programs for his district.
“As a lawmaker, I have to set a leadership role in respecting the law,” he said.
As this developed, Gonzales expressed optimism that the rating of ruling coalition presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. will significantly improve as local campaigns start Friday.
Gonzales, who has been designated regional campaign manager for the ruling coalition in Central Luzon, said Teodoro’s growing appeal, especially among the young voters, could easily translate into numbers as the party’s local leaders begin their sorties.
“The potential for Gibo is huge and all it takes is one big kick at the local level,” he said.
Gonzales is set to meet with regional leaders to discuss campaign strategies for Teodoro. (Ian Ocampo Flora with reports from Jovi T. De Leon)