August 08, 2023

As the election period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) will start on August 28, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos today urged local government units (LGUs) to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in looking out for campaign materials violating election laws.

In DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-105, Abalos said the DILG, LGUs, and other government agencies are deputized by Comelec thru its Resolution No. 10924 to aid the election body in removing and tearing down unlawful election propaganda materials.

In the same DILG directive, Abalos also enjoined LGUs to provide Comelec with the necessary equipment for the removal of unlawful election materials; designate LGU personnel who will assist Comelec in the campaign; issue Executive Order for the designation of LGU personnel/Barangay Tanods and provide them with the necessary assistance to perform their role; and direct the designated personnel to coordinate with the Election Officer before tearing down of unlawful election materials.

Section 240 of Comelec Resolution No. 10924 states that it is unlawful to print, publish, post, and distribute any form of campaign materials that do not bear the name of the payor or candidate who will benefit from the election propaganda printed or aired. Posting, displaying, or exhibiting any election material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner thereof is likewise prohibited.

The BSKE are scheduled on October 30, while the election period will run from August 28 until November 29. The campaign period is on October 19 to 28.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-to-LGUs-Assist-Comelec-in-removing-unlawful-campaign-materials-during-BSKE-election-period/NC-2023-1136