Comelec to candidates: Remove illegal campaign materials immediately or face charges

Candidates for the May 2019 polls should remove their campaign materials by Monday, February 11, or they will face election offense charges, the Commission on Elections said.

"The Comelec reminds candidates to immediately remove all prohibited forms of election propaganda at least 72 hours before the start of the campaign period. Otherwise, said candidate or party will be presumed to have committed the pertinent election offense during said campaign period for national or local candidates, as the case may be," the Comelec said on Monday.

Included in the list of prohibited campaign materials are those posted outside of common poster areas, in public places or in private properties without the consent of the owner.

The campaign period for national candidates starts on February 12 while those of local bets begins on March 29.

The campaign period for all candidates ends on May 11, two days before election day.

Personnel from the Manila City Hall's Department of Engineering and Public Works start removing campaign tarpaulins on Monday, February 11, 2019. The Commission on Elections has warned candidates for the May 2019 polls to remove their campaign materials by Monday or face election charges. Danny Pata

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said the Comelec already sent letters to candidates who have put up campaign tarpaulins in non-common poster areas.

The Comelec has also coordinated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways for ‘Operation Baklas.’ —With a report from Tina Panganiban-Perez/KG, GMA News