Comelec to candidates: Remove illegal campaign mats or face DQ

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday called on candidates in Eleksyon 2025 to take it upon themselves to remove illegal campaign materials or face disqualification.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia issued the statement following the poll body's conduct of "Oplan Baklas" at the start of the 45-day local campaign period on Friday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Garcia said, "Kahapon, 'yung mga tinanggal natin na illegal campaign materials, wala pang violation ang mga 'yan."

(The illegal campaign materials we removed yesterday have no violations yet.)

The poll body chairman explained that the Fair Elections Act requires the Comelec to send letters to candidates asking them to remove the illegal campaign materials themselves.

"Sa mga susunod na araw, imbes na kami ang magbaklas, susulatan muna namin sila (In the coming days, instead of us removing it, we will write a letter to the candidates)," Garcia said.

"Tatlong araw matapos nilang matanggap ang aming sulat, kinakailangan nilang tanggalin... Kung hindi, haharap sila sa disqualification o election offense," he added.

(Three days after receipt of the letter, they need to remove it… Otherwise, they would face disqualification or an election offense.)

Garcia said the start of the local campaign period was generally peaceful.

"Naging maayos ang unang araw ng kampanyahan... Bagama't tone-toneladang materials ang ating tinanggal," he said.

(The first day of the local campaign was generally peaceful... Although we removed tons of [illegal campaign] materials.)

Earlier, Garcia urged local bets to abide by guidelines set by the Comelec for the safe and successful conduct of the upcoming midterm elections.

Comelec Resolution 11086, which sets the rules and regulations for Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, scheduled the campaign period for the national candidates from February 11 to May 10. The campaign period for local positions will run from March 28 until May 10, 2025.

Candidates are not allowed to campaign on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day.)

The correct size for election pamphlets, leaflets, and stickers is 8.5” x 14” while posters and standees should be 2ft x 3ft. Streamers for campaign rallies should be 3ft x 8ft. The election paraphernalia can be released five days before the rally but should be removed after 24 hours. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.