DILG: remove illegal campaign materials

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a memorandum for the removal of unlawful election propaganda materials, in line with the October 30, 2023 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has also deputized the local government units (LGUs), DILG, and other government agencies to assist it in removing and tearing down unlawful election propaganda materials, "without any partiality."

“Section 252 of Comelec Resolution No. 10924 mandates that any prohibited form of election propaganda shall be stopped, confiscated, removed, destroyed down by Comelec representatives," read part of DILG memorandum.

It also set that spending for such a task should be "at the expense of the candidate for whose apparent benefit the prohibited election propaganda materials have been produced, displayed, and disseminated”.

It also enjoined local chief executives to provide Comelec with the equipment for use in the removal of election propaganda materials.

Through an executive order, LGU personnel also have to be designated to assist the Comelec, particularly the election officer, in removing the propaganda/materials.

In the case of the barangay, the barangay captain may designate the barangay tanods to assist the Comelec, similarly through an executive order.

In fulfilling such an assignment, the designated LGU personnel and tanods may also do other functions as set by the Comelec from time to time.

The memorandum also encouraged all to report "any prohibited form of election propaganda for confiscation, removal, destruction and/or prevention of the distribution of any illegal/unlawful propaganda materials."

The materials are specified under Comelec's general guidelines and other rules and regulations for the elections.

New Venue

Meanwhile, in Danao City, Cebu, the local Comelec office announced a change of venue for the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) for aspiring candidates.

The new venue is now at the Danao City Civic Center, according to the public advisory by the Danao City government.

The schedule for the filing of COCs is on August 28 to September 2, 2023.

According to the advisory, the Danao City barangays are clustered and have respective assigned schedules for the filing of COCs.

"Only would-be candidates or authorized representatives are allowed inside the venue," it also said.

As announced, August 28 is for aspirants from barangays Baliang, Bayabas, Binaliw, Cabungahan, Cagat-Lamac, Cahumayan, and Cambanay; August 29, barangays Cambubho, Cogon Cruz, Danasan, Dungga, Dunggoan, Guinacot and Guinsay.

August 30, barangays Ibo, Langosig, Lawaan, Licos, Looc, Magtagobtob, and Malapoc; August 31, barangays Manlayag, Mantija, Masaba, Maslog, Nangka, Oguis, and Pili.

For Septembre 1, barangays Poblacion, Quisol, Sabang, Sacsac, Sandayong Norte, Sandayong Sur, Santa Rosa to; September 2, barangays Santican, Sibacan, Suba, Taboc, Taytay, Togonon and Tuburan Sur. —  Le Phyllis F. Antojado (FREEMAN)