CH intensifies removal of campaign materials

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government is intensifying the removal of illegally posted campaign materials and posters along the major roads in Cebu City.

Mayor Michael Rama’s chief of staff, Philip Zafra, said that as of last year, they were able to remove 60-80% of illegally posted campaign materials but right after the National Thanksgiving Mass for San Pedro Calungsod, the number of illegally posted materials grew rapidly.

Zafra said that the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE) and Barangay Environmental Officer (BEO) automatically removed all the political streamers and posters that were posted illegally within their area of jurisdiction.

“Nag-start ni atong pagpanangtang pag September last year, mga 60-80% gyud toang nalimpyo last year. But lately, unauthorized posting of campaign materials has gotten worse in the south district,” Zafra said.

Earlier, Rama reminded and ordered the concerned members of Team Rama to remove the posters and postpone its proliferation until the campaign period.

Rama even clarified that as the leader of Team Rama, he did not order the proliferation of campaign posters and streamers because he believes that there is a right time for it.

Zafra said that as an example, they are not favoring any parties and even removed the posters of Sambag 1 barangay captain Jerry Guardo, who is running for councilor under Team Rama.

Aside from Guardo’s posters, they also removed other posters and streamers of Rama and his running mate, councilor Edgardo Labella, as well as the other members of Team Rama.

Zafra clarified that those existing posters of Team Rama members were upon the initiative of their supporters but they are doing their best to discourage these followers from doing such because it’s not yet election period.

Rama earlier said that he will not stop until he is able to remove all campaign posters and stickers that have started to proliferate in the city.

Rama assured that the task force will also remove materials posted by Team Rama supporters.

He said he reminded their supporters to stop posting campaign materials anywhere since there is no campaign period yet. (FREEMAN)