The Cebu City Department of Public Services (DPS) has called on candidates in the last elections to take responsibility in removing their campaign materials.
DPS head Paul Gelasque lamented that candidates were not assisting in the post-election cleanup effort, particularly in areas where they posted their materials.
“They should help,” Gelasque said.
The DPS cleanup immediately began after the May 12, 2025 elections, focusing on removing debris and campaign posters.
Thirty garbage trucks were deployed citywide for the cleanup.
According to Gelasque, the DPS started cleaning schools, which served as polling precincts, from 6:30 p.m. on Election Day and continued throughout the evening.
As of Wednesday, May 14, Gelasque said their focus shifted to dismantling and collecting campaign posters plastered in various areas. This task is expected to continue until Friday, May 16.
Asked if any candidate has helped the DPS in the cleanup, Gelasque answered in the negative.
“We don’t have to wait for them. We just went ahead with the cleanup because it’s difficult to entrust the work to other people when this isn’t their mandate,” he said in Cebuano.
Gelasque said the collected campaign materials will be directly transported to the landfill as these are already considered garbage.
He observed that the widespread discarding of campaign materials after elections has become a recurring problem.
“It seems like no one cares. That’s just my opinion because that’s what I see. That’s why we will just step-up,” he said.
Gelasque expressed hope that candidates will recognize their responsibility to clean up their own materials after the polls.
“I’m really not in the position to say this; but if they can find it in their heart to clean-up after elections as their responsibility, that would be great,” he said.
Win or lose
In Mandaue City, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a reminder to all candidates to immediately remove their campaign posters and materials from public spaces.
Comelec Election II Officer Jackquelyn Reuyan said, win or lose, all campaign materials must be taken down within five days after election day, May 12.
That means candidates have until Saturday, May 17, to comply with the directive.
“The election is already over. Candidates regardless of whether they won or lost must take responsibility for removing all their posters and tarpaulins. They were given five days to clean up, and that period has already started,” Reuyan said in an interview.
Reuyan warned that any candidate who fails to comply may be summoned by the Comelec to explain their inaction.
Prolonged display of campaign materials beyond the allowed period is considered a violation of election rules and may be treated as an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.
“Comelec will issue summons to those who fail to comply. We take this seriously because it affects not only public order and cleanliness but also the integrity of the electoral process,” she added.
She also called on senatorial candidates and party-list groups, whose campaign materials remain visible in Mandaue, to also remove their posters and streamers.
“They can designate representatives or workers to take down the posters for them, but the responsibility still falls on the candidates. The important thing is that they will still collect and dispose of their materials. We should not allow them to remain on the posts and walls,” Reuyan said. / JPS, CAV