CEBU, Philippines - One Cebu gubernatorial candidate, third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, questioned if candidates are liable for posters put up in prohibited place such as on trees, following a complaint that was filed against him before the Commission on Elections.
Lawyer Gloria Ramos, co-founder of Philippine Earth Justice Center, Inc, also filed a complaint against Garcia for alleged illegal posting of campaign materials.
Ramos alleged that Garcia posted his campaign materials outside the common poster area and in prohibited areas as such trees, electric posts and waiting sheds.
“I hope she has pictures also of me personally putting those posters on trees. How do we know that it was not Goly Ramos or her group who removed one of my posters from a proper place and put it on trees to put me in trouble?†Garcia said.
Garcia claimed that a lot of his posters were removed particularly in some parts of the fifth district.
“Where do these materials removed end up? In enemy hands,†he said.
Garcia hinted the possibility that the group of Ramos put the posters on trees considering her “obsession with and past history of filing charges†against suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
He also questioned why she singled him out in the filing of the complaint and not his opponent who also has posters placed on trees particularly in Camotes Island.
“Is she blind or blinded by her hatred of the Garcias?†he asked.
Garcia has already brought up the matter to environment lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr. who called his attention.
“I admire his zeal in enforcing the law but I know that he will proceed with caution in filing cases against people,†Garcia said. —/BRP (FREEMAN)