Nailed to trees

SKETCHES

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

If Chairman George Garcia of the Commission on Elections could have his way, he would hammer a nail into candidates who nail their campaign materials to trees.

"You cannot violate the environment," the Comelec chief said. "Kung sila naman kaya ang pakuang namin?"

That's just wishful hyperbole on the part of the Comelec chief, of course.

But Garcia admitted irritation at the increasing proliferation of campaign materials and the sight of candidates' images posted on every available space. "Kung minsan nakaka-irita na, nakikita natin yung mga pagmumukha nila nakalantad lahat diyan."

Even more irritating for the head of the constitutional body in charge of elections, however, is its helplessness in going after the early campaigners.

The Supreme Court, ruling on petitions, has defanged the Comelec, declaring that there is no such thing as premature campaigning, even after certificates of candidacy have been filed. This shows that Filipinos' comprehension problems are more serious than we thought.

In another case, the SC ruled that the Comelec cannot enforce size limits or prohibit the display of campaign materials on private property. So if the private owner of a building or multi-use complex who supports a candidate covers the building with the bet's campaign materials, the Comelec can't touch it. Space on the private property can also be sold by the owner for political advertising. Or if a private person or entity decides to display massive posters on his/her property lambasting certain candidates, the display is protected by freedom of expression.

Garcia argues that the right invoked in election campaigning carries with it certain responsibilities.