Election offense charges and even disqualification from running in the May 2025 elections await candidates found to have campaign materials illegally posted.
While the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warning is crucial to maintaining electoral integrity, it raises important questions about fairness, accountability, and the potential exploitation of candidates by their rivals.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia’s message is clear: any campaign material found in unauthorized areas or violating prescribed guidelines will be attributed to the candidate it represents, regardless of who actually posted it. This policy aims to curb the growing problem of illegal campaign posters, which often mar public spaces, causing environmental damage, and distracting voters from the true essence of democratic competition. However, while this directive is necessary to ensure order and respect for election rules, it also opens the door to potential abuses.
One of the risks associated with this policy is the possibility of rival candidates or their supporters taking advantage of it by deliberately posting campaign materials of their competitors in unlawful areas. In the competitive and often contentious world of politics, such tactics are very possible. The idea of “smearing” an opponent by having their posters illegally displayed could lead to unwarranted consequences for targeted candidates, potentially damaging their reputation or leading to legal charges they do not deserve. In this scenario, the policy, although well-intentioned, could backfire and create a new avenue for underhanded tactics in political campaigns often times characterized by mudslinging.
It is therefore essential that the Comelec not only enforces rules with rigor but also takes extra steps to ensure that its procedures are transparent and fair. One of the immediate measures that Comelec might want to consider is to develop a more comprehensive tracking system for campaign materials. This could involve digital timestamps or a registration system for campaign posters, making it easier to trace and verify the location of materials and hold the right people accountable. Additionally, Comelec must be proactive in educating the public, candidates, and their supporters on the rules governing campaign materials, ensuring everyone knows their responsibility and the consequences of non-compliance.
Moreover, while holding candidates responsible for their campaign materials is a necessary part of ensuring orderly elections, there should be a system in place that helps to distinguish between those who are genuinely responsible for the illegal posting and those who are wrongfully implicated. This can be done by encouraging whistleblowers, ensuring transparency in investigations, and having an independent body assess claims of sabotage or malicious posting. Furthermore, the Comelec should establish clear guidelines for handling accusations of dirty tactics, such as posting rival candidates’ campaign materials illegally, ensuring that no one exploits the rules to his or her advantage.
Fairness is paramount when it comes to elections. A level-playing field is what every candidate deserves, and it is what the voters expect. While candidates must be held accountable for their campaign materials, Comelec must act as an impartial arbiter, preventing unfair tactics that could skew the election results. By adopting a firm and transparent approach to enforcement and encouraging all candidates to act with integrity, the electoral process can be safeguarded against those who would seek to undermine it.