-The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned presidential bets Sen. Richard Gordon and his vice-presidential partner Bayani Fernando, and Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva to take down their oversize billboards, lest they risk election offense charges. Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez Tuesday said the poll body have been monitoring the outdoor advertisements of candidates and found out that Gordon, Fernando, and Villanueva have billboards that exceed the mandated size.
Jimenez said they have sent the photos of the billboards to the Law Department, which will notify the candidates to take down the posters as soon as they receive the notice.
“The clock is ticking. They should remove these billboards forthwith, otherwise, they risk facing sanctions for violating election laws,” said Jimenez.
“We have already forwarded images of posters and streamers that we feel are in violation of election laws… We gave the evidence to the law department so they can now take the proper legal action,” he added.
According to Jimenez, Gordon and Fernando's oversized posters were found along EDSA and the South Luzon Expressway. Villanueva, on the other hand, has a giant banner endorsing him near Quiapo Bridge in Manila.
Jimenez said the posters exceed the sizes provided in the Fair Elections Act. Under the law, campaign materials—whether written or printed—should not exceed 8 1/2 by 14 inches, as well as posters with an area not exceeding 2 by 3 feet.
Those found guilty of an election offense face up to six years of imprisonment and disqualification from public and government office.
