Comelec reminds candidates: ‘Remove poll posters’

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded all candidates and political parties that by now, election-related propaganda and campaign materials should already be in the process of being taken down or else will face penalties or disqualification.

“Inaatasan ang lahat ng kandidato at partido na alisin o ipaalis ang lahat ng kanilang election propaganda o campaign materials sa loob ng limang (5) araw mula Election Day or 12 May 2025,” read Comelec's announcement on its official Facebook page, which means the candidates have three days, including today, to take their materials.

This directive is in accordance with Comelec Resolution No. 11086 or the Fair Elections Act.

Under Section 30 of the resolution, the removal of propaganda materials after the elections is mandatory.

It is specified that this must be done within five days after election day “without need of notice.”

“The candidates shall remove or cause to remove all their election propaganda at their expenses or for whose apparent benefit the election propaganda materials have been produced, displayed, and disseminated,” part of the resolution reads.

Failure to comply with this directive constitutes a violation and may result in penalties from Comelec or the concerned local government units—especially if the materials obstruct public spaces.

In fact, Comelec-7 regional director Atty. Francisco Pobe said that candidates, especially winning ones, who fail to remove their campaign materials may face disqualification.

Pobe noted that the owners of the campaign materials are presumed to be the ones responsible for their posting.

The Comelec is also encouraging candidates and political parties to participate in carbon offsetting activities, such as tree planting, as stated in Section 4 of the same resolution.

The poll body emphasized that the responsibilities of those who ran for office do not end with the conclusion of the elections.

“Hindi dito nagtatapos ang responsibilidad ng mga tumakbo sa eleksyon. Maging huwaran sa tamang pamumuno,” Comelec said.

SOCE

Meanwhile, Comelec also reminded candidates and parties of the filing period for their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), which began last May 13, 2025.

Comelec reiterated that all official candidates, political parties, and party-lists must file their SOCE—regardless of whether they were elected or not; incurred expenses or not; received contributions or not; self-funded their campaign; or even if they withdrew their candidacy—unless the withdrawal was made officially before the start of the campaign period.

The notarized SOCE must be personally signed by the candidate, or by the party treasurer in the case of political parties and party-lists.

The poll body stressed that the SOCE must be filed within 30 days after election day or until June 11, 2025—before the appropriate Comelec office.

Submissions may be made on weekdays, including Saturdays and holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The deadline shall be final and non-extendible. Any SOCE filed beyond the deadline shall not be accepted,” the Comelec said.

The Comelec reminded that no elected candidate shall assume office unless the SOCE is submitted within the legally prescribed period. – /ATO (FREEMAN)