The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday warned political candidates of disqualification or penalty if they fail to remove their illegal campaign materials within three days.
Poll chairman George Garcia directed the warning to senatorial candidates and party-lists as the campaign period for the May 13 elections officially began.
The Comelec has already issued the guidelines for campaign materials to be used during the campaign period, saying that oversized campaign materials and non-biodegradable materials are considered illegal.
The Comelec gave candidates three days to remove election propaganda that did not follow appropriate sizes and is not made of the right materials.
Garcia said the Comelec will send letters to identified candidates and party lists with illegal campaign materials to remove them within a period of three days.
When asked when a violation can be considered an election offense, Garcia answered that it is based on non-obedience after a notice is issued.
He said illegal campaign materials should be disposed properly as there was no directive to burn it because it would harm the environment. According to Comelec Resolution No. 11111, election propaganda must be made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any recyclable materials.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) meanwhile said 18,000 military troops will be deployed to safeguard the 2025 midterm elections.
AFP Spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla also said that the number may also increase depending on the situation.
“There is an immediate reaction, like for an encounter and ambush. It’s election season, so it will still fall under that. Then, we will have a sudden deployment.” Padilla told reporters in an ambush interview.
Padilla also vowed that the AFP will ensure the well-being of Filipinos during the election period.
Meanwhile, a total of 9,000 army personnel deployed for the security augmentation of 2025 midterm elections campaign season and polling precincts.
“The Philippine Army is always ready to assist the PNP and COMELEC as we have been doing this every election. Our soldiers are equipped, trained, and committed to ensuring that every voter can exercise the right of suffrage free of fear or intimidation,” Army Spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala told Manila Standard.
According to Dema-ala, the specific number of deployed personnel in the National Capital Region (NCR) depends on the security assessment and coordination of the AFP Joint Task Force NCR with the PNP and COMELEC.
The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will run from February 11 to March 10, 2025. On the other hand, candidates for the House of Representatives, as well as those running for parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal positions, can campaign from March 28 to May 10. With Rex Espiritu
