CEBU CITY – Candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were reminded of the do’s and don’ts in the 10-day campaign period from October 19 to 28.
Lionel Marco Castillano, Commission on Elections-Central Visayas (Comelec) chief, issued the reminders as the campaign period started on Thursday, October 19.
Castillano said campaign posters should only be 2x3 in size while leaflets should not be bigger than a long-size bond paper.
He said candidates are also allowed to run a campaign ad on radio and television for a maximum of 90 and 60 minutes, respectively.
“Be careful with campaign spending because what is allowed is only P5 per voter,” said Castillano.
Castillano admitted that a candidate spending for P5 per voter is “very unrealistic.”
“The Comelec has been espousing to the Congress to increase it because it’s very unrealistic,” said Castillano.
Castillano explained that in national or local elections, candidates are only allowed to spend P3 per voter because there are political parties involved.
He said posting of campaign materials in public places such as barangay hall, municipal hall, public market, public waiting shed, electric posts, bridges, and trees are prohibited.
“As much as possible, campaign posters should be posted on private residences or private properties with the consent of the owners,” Castillano said.
Posting or nailing of campaign materials on trees carries a stiff penalty.
“If you post or nail your posters on trees, you can be charged for violation of Fair Elections Act and Forestry Rules. Injuring a tree is a violation of forestry rules,” Castillano said.
Castillano warned that violators of campaign rules may face disqualification and criminal cases. “The criminal case may take long but the disqualification case could be sped up,” said Castillano.
He reminded candidates that a campaign, especially in the barangay elections, should not be an expensive one. “You will not win because of campaign posters. You will win because of your deeds in the past,” said Castillano.
The BSKE will be held on October 30.