36 party-list groups may be disqualified

Comelec issuing notices for violation of rules on campaign poster display

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said they are issuing notices to 36 party-list groups to remove their illegal campaign posters immediately.

"We ordered their campaign materials removed nationwide," Garcia said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday. He said the 36 organizations failed to comply with regulations on the size of campaign posters and use of environment-friendly materials.

Garcia said some of the party-list groups also placed their campaign posters in prohibited areas.

Every day, Garcia said, the Comelec will issue notices to candidates, party-list groups and political parties found violating rules on campaign posters.

"We will issue notices to remove illegal campaign posters in three days. Otherwise we will file a disqualification case against them," he said.

Violating rules on campaign posters is considered an election offense and thus violators may also be slapped with criminal cases.

Meanwhile, amid intensifying election-related violence, the Comelec said more areas in Mindanao are likely to be placed under the so-called red category.

Garcia is set to meet on Monday with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil to discuss the reclassification to the red category of certain areas in Mindanao, where a spike in election-related violence has been reported.