Comelec urges aspirants to use biodegradable materials during campaign

Two days before the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections officially begins, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday appealed to aspirants to use campaign materials that are biodegradable to help protect the environment.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said that the poll body has created a committee on environmentally sustainable elections to push for the use of environmental-friendly campaign materials.

“Gusto naming protektahan ang kapaligiran kahit ito pa nga ba’y kampanya. ‘Wag gagamit ng non-biodegradable materials, ‘yung mga plastic o ‘yung mga na tarpaulin. Hangga’t maaari, ‘yung biodegradable, ‘yung pupuwede nating matunaw at magamit muli,” Garcia said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We want to protect the environment even during the campaign season. Don’t use non-biodegradable materials, such as plastics or tarpaulin. As much as possible, use only biodegradable materials, those that we can dissolve or use again.)

“At the same time, kung makapagkabit naman sa puno ay wagas. Alam naman natin may buhay ang mga puno at ‘yan ay kasama sa ating dapat poprotektahan,” he added.

(At the same time, some post campaign materials on trees without end. We know that trees are living things and these are among those we should protect.)

Garcia warned that the Comelec will use existing policies to file charges against candidates who will damage the environment in the course of their campaign.

The 90-day campaign period for the national candidates (senatorial candidates and party-list groups) will begin on Tuesday, February 11, until May 10.

READ: Comelec releases schedule of activities for 2025 midterm, BARMM polls

Meanwhile, the 45-day campaign period for local candidates will be from March 28 to May 10.

Comelec is expected to strictly implement regulations on campaign materials under "Operation Baklas" throughout the campaign period by removing campaign materials that do not comply with size limitations or are posted in unauthorized public spaces.

“Pagdating ng February 11, silang lahat ay kandidato na, hindi lang sila aspirants. Dahil po diyan ay maipatutupad na natin ang batas sa halalan, lalo na ang patungkol sa mga posters, patungkol sa pangangampanya,” Garcia said.

(By February 11, they are all considered as candidates, and not just aspirants. Because of that, we will be able to implement the election law, particularly regarding posters and campaigning.)

“Kung gugustuhin naming file-an sila ng kasong kriminal o tinatawag nating election offense na hindi pagtatanggal, kailangan namin silang sulatan at dapat ay sumagot sila o tanggalin nila ang campaign materials 72 hours matapos nila matanggap ang aming liham sa kanila,” he added.

(If we want to file a criminal case against them for committing an election offense, we have to write to them and they must respond or remove the campaign materials 72 hours after they receive our letter.)

Under Section 6 of Comelec Resolution 10730, lawful election propaganda include:

- Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials the size of which does not exceed eight and one-half inches in width and fourteen inches in length;

- Handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against any particular political party or candidate for public office;

- Cloth, paper or cardboard posters, whether framed or posted, with an area not exceeding two feet by three feet, except that, at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally, or in announcing the holding of said meeting or rally, streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet in size. These streamers may be displayed five days before the date of the meeting or rally and shall be removed within 24 hours after said meeting or rally.

—KG, GMA Integrated News

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