Makati poll violators warned

Makati Mayor Elenita Binay gave strict orders yesterday to barangay leaders and the Makati Police Department to apprehend violators of Commission on Elections (Comelec) regulations on posters and other campaign materials.

The mayor also ordered the city’s Department of Environment Services (DES) and barangays to remove posters and other campaign materials from walls, trees, traffic lights, and other public places in Makati which are not designated poster areas by the Comelec and the political parties.

Binay said the order covers official and adopted candidates of her party, the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

"I have ordered all concerned city officials to remove all illegal posters and campaign materials, regardless of party affiliations. They have also been directed to arrest all violators," she said.

The mayor said she sees no reason for the candidates to resort to these practices since under the newly-approved Fair Elections Act, political parties are now allowed to set up poster areas for their candidates in not more than 10 public places.

Together with the common poster areas of the Comelec, the candidates now have more space available for their use, she said.

"The law is there is for a reason. People running for elected office should be the last ones to violate these laws. Their campaign people should be conscious about these things," Binay said.

The mayor said the city government would assist the Comelec in identifying common poster areas in Makati. The campaign posters "are an eyesore," especially for Makati, which is considered the center of business and commerce, Binay said.