Comelec, LTFRB to discuss if campaign stickers can go on buses, other PUVs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will coordinate with other government agencies regarding the implementation of the guidelines for election campaign materials as the campaign period for senators and party-list candidates opened on Tuesday.

According to spokesperson James Jimenez, the Comelec will check with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) whether election stickers can be placed on public utility vehicles like jeepneys and buses.

"Bagaman sila ay private vehicles eh meron silang hawak ng prangkisa, ano? This puts them within the ambit of the regulatory powers of certain agencies. Kasama diyan 'yung LTFRB," Jimenez told Tina Panganiban-Perez in a report on Balitanghali.

Comelec also plans to coordinate with the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) regarding campaign materials hanging from overpasses, which could cause accidents. They gave candidates until Friday for the posters to be taken down.

The commission said they will also document violations of campaign guidelines, but it is unclear if they can hold violators accountable.

"I've been with the Comelec for almost 20 years. Wala pa akong naalalang particular case na naparusahan for this kind of specific campaign violation," Jimenez admitted.

"May napatanggal kami for overspending. May napatanggal tayo for vote-buying. May napatanggal tayo for a lot of other things. But for this specific violation, 'yung wrong size, wrong location, wala pa akong natatandaan," he added.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said there are no clear guidelines yet regarding the use of electronic billboards as as well as commercials and other campaign tactics on social media.  — Marisse Panaligan/BM, GMA News