Quisumbing: Take down campaign posters or else…

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing wants all campaign materials in public places removed immediately after the May 14 elections or else candidates will be penalized.

He said posters and campaign advertisements regardless of which party mounted them must be taken down on or before May 28.

"Please remember, I expect all campaign materials to be taken down within two weeks after Election Day," he said.

The synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections are set for May 14. The campaign period, on the other hand, started last Friday and will end on May 12.

Aracelli Barlam of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office said candidates who fail to take down their posters and campaign advertisements will face a maximum penalty of P5,000 for causing “visual clutter.”

"Ang atong pamultahon ana is ang nagbutang but if we don’t have the proof sa actual person nga nagbutang sa signage/poster, ato gyud nang ipasa kun si kinsa ang naa sa poster," Barlam said.

Also, she said the mounting of campaign posters violates city’s Anti-Littering Ordinance, which was approved in 2006 during the stint of then mayor Thadeo Ouano.

"Posting, installing, displaying any kind or form of billboards, signs, posters, streamers, professional service advertisement and other visual clutters in any part of the road, sidewalks, center islands, posts, trees, parks and open spaces except in spaces designated by the city government is prohibited," reads the ordinance.

Aside from the fine, the violator will have to render one hour of community service as stipulated under Section 2 of the said ordinance.

"Failure to pay the fine and render community service within the period of 72 hours shall authorize the apprehending officers to file a criminal complaint in court," the ordinance further reads. — KBQ (FREEMAN)