Comelec orders 6 Senate bets to explain illegal posters

The Commission on Elections has issued a show-cause order against six Senate candidates for violating election laws on campaign posters.

Some of these materials were illegally placed or not eco-friendly, with some even nailed to trees—sparking public outrage. A viral Facebook post, featured in a 24 Oras Weekend report by Mark Salazar, garnered nearly one million views protesting this practice.

Environmental advocate Ronald Posadas warned that nailing posters to trees can cause decay. "Yung pako, hindi natin nakikita yung dala nyang amag o bakterya. Kapag pinakuan mo yan, doon nagsisimula yung pagkabulok," he explained.

(Nails may carry mold or bacteria, leading to rot.)

Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized that election laws prohibit such practices, stressing the need for an eco-friendly campaign.

"Hindi ba meron tayong environmentally sustainable election? Eh may buhay po yung puno. Di ba kahit nga kayo, pakuan nga kayo, kahit kuko lang, masakit eh. Eh puno rin naman. Ganoon din yan," said Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

(Don't we have an environmentally sustainable election? Trees are living things too. If you get nailed, even just on your fingernail, it hurts, right? It's the same for trees.)

Garcia also reminded candidates that posters should only be placed in designated areas, not on public buildings or schools.

All senatorial candidates have been notified to remove illegal materials, while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will handle any environmental law violations.

Comelec urged candidates to respect election regulations and avoid harming trees in their campaign efforts. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News

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