Comelec: Candidates have until May 17 to remove campaign materials

SEASON’S CLUTTER Campaign posters compete for attention at a tricycle terminal near Ilugin Elementary School, Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, in this photo taken on Thursday. —Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates and party lists have until Saturday, May 17 to remove their campaign materials, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec said on Wednesday that the removal of election-related materials five days after the election day is in line with the Section 30 of the Comelec Resolution No. 11086 or the rules and regulations implementing Fair Elections Act for the May 2025 elections and Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections.

“Ang hindi pagtupad sa patakarang ito ay maaaring ituring na paglabag at magresulta sa kaukalang parusa mula sa Comelec o sa mga lokal na pamahalaan, lalo na kung makakasagabal ang mga materyales sa pampublikong lugar,” Comelec said in an advisory.

(Non-compliance on this guideline can result in a corresponding offense from the Comelec and local government units, especially if the [materials] cause disruptions in public places.)

Further, Section 31 of the same resolution states that all materials taken down, or confiscated in pursuant of the resolution “shall be disposed of in accordance with subsequent guidelines to be issued by the Commission.”

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“Hinihikayat din ang mga kandidato at partido na magsagawa ng mga aktibidad para sa carbon offsetting, tulad ng pagtatanim ng puno, ayon sa Section 4 ng Resolution No. 11111,” the Comelec added.

(Candidates and party-lists are also encouraged to conduct activities for carbon offsetting, like tree-planting, in line with the Section 4 of Resolution No. 11111.)

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Resolution No. 1111 or the Guidelines on the Use of Environmentally Sustainable Campaign Materials prohibits the use and posting of unlawful election materials. The poll body earlier directed candidates to use biodegradable materials for their campaigning.

The poll body, through Task Force Baklas, ordered the removal of materials posted in illegal areas. Petitions for disqualification were also filed against several candidates for failure to adhere to the guidelines. /cb