Abalos tells Lacson, Kiko to remove posters

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday directed two senators running for reelection to remove their posters from prohibited areas or face disqualification. Those told to remove their posters were opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson and independent candidate Sen. Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos ordered the poll body's law department to call the attention of Lacson, who is running under the United Opposition (UNO), and Pangilinan over campaign posters placed in areas where election materials should not be seen, like those in national highways. “Within three days, they have to remove it or this (act) will be considered as under their consent which is a violation of the Fair Elections Act and a ground for disqualification," Abalos told reporters after emerging from a three-hour en banc session. The poll chairman said he noticed that the posters of the two candidates were placed in “public places" in Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Sta. Mesa. Abalos earlier warned candidates to observe election rules that pertain to common poster areas where they are allowed to place their campaign materials or face possible disqualification from the race. At least 33 persons were arrested Tuesday for putting up posters in non-poster areas in Metro Manila. Some of them were putting up posters for Pangilinan. The Commission on Elections has a standing order for the police to implement elections laws, including the rules governing the posting of campaign posters and banners.The Comelec has designated certain areas where candidates can put their posters. Pangilinan blamed the arrests on "vague" Comelec guidelines. "Our youth volunteers who requested for materials were merely expressing their support by putting up our posters and did not mean any harm. We are thankful for Mayor Lito Atienza's intervention in the release of these student volunteers," Pangilinan said in a statement. "I think it is best for the Comelec and our local government units to provide clearer guidelines on Comelec-designated areas where volunteers can put up posters so as to avoid a repeat of this incident," he added. Pangilinan's supporters were eventually released by upon the intervention of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. Likewise, Pangilinan appealed to the Philippine National Police to observe due process at all times, particularly during the election season. "Abuse of the law through random arrests of people for postering violations, among other infringements, must not be tolerated. Now, more than ever, there is a need to uphold the rule of law," Pangilinan said. Meanwhile, the commission en banc has accredited 44 out of 153 party list organizations vying for the May 14 polls. Among those that made it in the partial list of the Comelec include reelection party lists Bayan Muna, Association of Philippine Electric Cooperative (APEC), Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party (AKBAYAN), Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC), Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (BUHAY), Partido ng Manggagawa, Gabriela Women’s Party (Gabriela), and Migrante Sectoral Party of Overseas Filipinos and Their Families. The poll body earlier junked the petition for accreditation of the gay and lesbian group “Ang Ladlad" prompting its bet Danton Remoto to run for the Senate as an independent. - GMANews.TV