Miriam Scores Bets Violating Poster Rules

Miriam Defensor Santiago, seeking another six-year term in the 24-member Senate under the Nacionalista Party (NP) banner, sought Monday the help of media and electoral watchdogs to take photos of violations of a recent Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution implementing the Fair Elections Act such as oversized streamers and posters on trees and other prohibited places.

Santiago said that outside of city centers, candidates are violating openly the Comelec ban by using prohibited election propaganda.

The chairperson of the Senate foreign relations committee cited several illegal propaganda which violates the Comelec resolution.

She said the poll body has designated common poster areas such as those posted in streets, bridges, public structures or buildings, trees, electric posts or wires, schools, shrines, and main thoroughfares.

In these areas, movie posters of individual candidates shall not exceed dimensions more than two by three feet. Moreover, posters should not be placed in private places without the consent of the owner.

Santiago called on fellow candidates to post their campaign materials only at designated common poster areas.

March 15, 2010