Comelec wants clarification on who allows campaign propaganda on Church premises

The Commission on Election wants clarification on who gives permission for campaign propaganda to be put up on Church premises, which is private property. Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr made the statement Monday after learning of the tarpaulin put up in front of San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City showing the names of candidates grouped into "Team Patay" and "Team Buhay," based on their stand on the Reproductive Health Law. “Private property 'yan, hindi naman 'yan common poster area. We really don’t know the rules of the Church so maybe we can clarify that. If the Church will allow the church premises to be used as propaganda area, then who gives the permission? Is it the parish priest? Pope? Bishop?” he asked. He said the Comelec can come out with a rule on the matter because there are several other religious organizations in the country that might put up propaganda materials for candidates. The poll chief said the Comelec has asked for the removal of the tarpaulin because it was oversized. The material was taken down, he said. “Even if it [the church] is a private [property], [campaign material] has to comply with the size. Sinabihan na tanggalin nyo yan kasi apparently oversized. Tinanggal naman. That is definitely a propaganda material kasi it is for and against. Patay at buhay e,” he said. The Diocese of Bacolod came out with "Team Patay" and "Team Buhay" as part of its voters' education campaign. The "Team Patay" roster includes names of senatorial candidates and party-list groups who supported the passage of the RH Law while "Team Buhay" is the list of candidates perceived to be pro-life because they voted against the divisive bill. Both lists have candidates supported by President Benigno Aquino III. — BM, GMA News