Man nabbed for putting up posters on election eve

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a 50-year-old man for allegedly putting up posters of a Manila mayoral candidate and his running mate in front of the P. Gomez Elementary School in Sta. Cruz Sunday night, a day after the campaign period ended.

Roberto de Guzman, was still at the top of a ladder when police arrived at the scene, according to Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut. Three other men assisting De Guzman managed to escape but left a multicab (JCZ-813), Yabut said.

“(The act) was a clear violation of the Omnibus Election Code which bans the putting up of campaign materials beyond the period of campaigning as prescribed by the Commission on Elections,” Yabut said.

At the General Assignment Section of the Manila Police District, De Guzman said he did not know about the Omnibus Election Law. He said he was only promised P300 to put up the streamers.

Yabut said two people were using an untraceable number to call him up and urge him to release De Guzman, who they said was just taking down the streamers.